Custom Made Test Tube Holder for BD FACS ARIA IIIUniversity of California, Merced

School of EngineeringChristopher Cruz – Ryan Burtzlaff – Diane Martinez – Socorro Martinez

Figure 5. A magnetic stirring plate was attached to the

back of the test tube holder to help mix the fluids inside.

Results showed that the attached stirring plate successfully

mixed the fluids together.

Cost Analysis

ResultsThree models were printed using a 3D printer . Each model

is able to accommodate the following combination of test

tube sizes:

• 1x 50mL, and 2x 5mL Test Tubes

• 2x 50mL Test Tubes

• 2x 15mL, and 2x5mL Test Tubes

Figure 2. 2x50mL Test Tube Holder

Figure 3. Results from a sorting test using the 2x50mL test

tube holder . Each color represents a different type of cell

being sorted into each test tube. Results show that the

sorting accuracy of each cell type into the correct test tube is

about 88.77%. This indicates that our models is compatible with the ARIA II

Figure 4. Model placed into Aria III

Mission StatementMission is to streamline the cell sorting process at the Stem

Cell Instrumentation Facility (SCIF) by creating a cost-

effective custom made device to improve sorted stream

collection and increase cell viability

IntroductionBackground: The BD FACS Aria III is a cell sorting machine

commonly used at the Stem Cell Instrumentation Facility

located on UC Merced for research purposes. This machine

is capable of sorting up to 4 different cell types from one

sample into their own test tube.

Problem:

• Test Tube Holder can only hold a small variety of test tube

sizes.

• Cell Sorter has difficulty mixing the sheath fluid and serum

together.

1a) 1b)

Figure 1a. Image of FACS Aria III; 1b. Image of sheath fluid

(top layer) not mixed with serum (bottom layer).

Objective• Design and create a Test Tube Holder that is able to

accommodate a variety of combinations of test tube sizes.

• Develop a mixing mechanism so that the sheath fluid and

serum are able t combine properly.