Here we will change our User Options so that data file-derived Stain and Name keywords appear on our plot axes.

1.Select File tab→Options (Figure T32.3, outlined in red).

Figure T32.3  Accessing Preferences from the File Tab on Ribbon

Figure T32.3  Accessing Preferences from the File Tab on Ribbon

2.Click on the Data Loading category → FCS File Options Instrument Specific Settings at the left (Figure T32.4, number1).

Figure T32.4  Selecting Stain and Name as the Parameter Name Displayed on Plot Axes

Figure T32.4  Selecting Stain and Name as the Parameter Name Displayed on Plot Axes

3.From Instrument Specific Settings select Default FCS 3.0 (Figure T32.4, number2)

Note:  The correct FCS file type or instrument will need to be selected for the change to be effective.

4.Select Stain and Name from the Keyword to Use as Parameter Name drop-down menu (Figure T32.4, number3).

5.Click OK.

Now, as you load in new data files, your plot axes in FCS Express will be labeled with the values for the keywords that you have selected.  These keywords values were saved with your data at the time of acquisition, however, you can edit keywords in FCS Express.

Please note that different manufacturers will use different bits of information for each keyword value.

For example:

on a BD analog instrument (FACScan, FACSCalibur)

oStain keyword = CD3 FITC, Name Keyword = FL-H

on a BD digital instrument (anything which uses BD FACSDiva)

oStain keyword = CD3, Name keyword = FITC-A

Go back to Immunophenotyping Tutorial.