New Infrastructure at the KRCBS
New Cryostat – Leica CM 3050S
Who to contact: Xiaofeng Lu
We are pleased to announce the arrival of a new cryostat for the Histology Core Lab; a Leica CM 3050S which is a fully automated cryostat, capable of manual and motorized sectioning. There are two separate cooling systems (cryochamber down to -40°C and specimen temperature down to -50°C). The sectioning thickness capacity is 0.5 – 300 µm. It has precision x-y specimen orientation of 8 degrees in any direction. Horizontal specimen feed is 25 mm and total vertical stroke is approximately 60 mm. Motorized sectioning is operated via the control panel or foot switch. There are 3 sectioning modes available: intermittent, single and continuous. The CM 3050S is microprocessor-controlled with the status display showing actual chamber and object temperatures, cutting window parameters, specimen position, refrigeration state, preset temperatures, actual and defrost times, programmable preset counters, section thickness, and power failure alert.
Thermo-Fisher Hypoxia Chamber
Who to contact: Steven Hayes
- centralized oxygen-free work chamber for cell culture, work and storage space
- centrally located oval glove ports allow free access to all areas of the work chamber
- built-in incubator for cell culturing under hypoxic conditions
Illumina Next Seq 550 Next Generation Sequencer
Who to contact: Pamela Plant
A fundamental understanding of biological systems begins with the genetic information obtained through DNA/RNA Sequencing. Furthermore, personalized and precision medicine requires in-depth knowledge of a patients genetic predisposition and phenotypic variability informed through sequencing. Clinical isolates can be sequenced and chromosomal re-arrangements and SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) can be identified easily. There is a broad range of research applications as well.
Research Applications of NGS:
- Targeted DNA sequencing
- Whole transcriptome (RNA) sequencing
- Metagenomic sequencing
- ChIP (chromatin IP) sequencing
- Transcriptome sequencing
- Small RNA sequencing
Thermo-Fisher Life Technologies QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR
Who to contact: Pamela Plant
The Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ 7 Flex Real-Time PCR System delivers the proven reliability, sensitivity, and accuracy of the Applied Biosystems™ ViiA™ 7 System in a new industrial design. The QuantStudio 7 Flex System has been optimized to enable the broadest range of quantitative PCR applications, with additional dyes, formats, and automation options.
Key applications for Gene Expression:
- mRNA profiling
- miRNA profiling
- SNP genotyping
- Copy number variation
- Protein thermal shift
- High resolution melt
- Pathogen detection
BioRad QX200 Digital Droplet PCR for gene expression profiling
Who to contact: Pamela Plant
- The QX200 Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR™) System provides absolute quantification of target DNA or RNA molecules
- Droplet partitioning by the QX200 Droplet Digital technology reduces bias from amplification efficiency and PCR inhibitors
- Convenient assay design — standard curves are not required
- Optimal for gene expression analysis of small fold changes for low abundance mRNA and miRNA targets
- Applications include cancer biomarker studies, copy number variation and accurate quantification and qualification of NGS libraries
ProJet 3510HDplus 3D printer
Where: LKSKI room 740
Who to contact: Dario Bogojevic
The ProJet 3510HDplus prints high quality, durable plastic models for biomedical and engineering design applications including pre-surgical planning, surgical guides development, 3D models for medical education purposes, rapid prototyping, design communication, rapid tooling and more. The printer offers the flexibility to choose between 3 resolution modes to print highly accurate models with extremely finely featured parts and a great output. It is using Multi-Jet-Modeling Technology to build models with highest resolution and surface quality of any plastic printer.
Nanostring nCounter Multiplexing Gene Expression Profiler
Where: LKSKI room 549
Who to contact: Pamela Plant
This new piece of equipment is an addition to the Molecular Biology Core:
- Highly multiplexed - 800 targets per reaction
- No amplification - compatible with FFPE and no bias
- Precision - digital counting means unparalleled reproducibility
- Pre-fab code set panels available for inflammation, immunology, cancer etc…
BioRad ChemiDoc Touch
Where: LKSKI room 549 and 654
Who to contact: Pamela Plant
The BioRad ChemiDoc Touch is a Chemilluminescent Imager and one of several new pieces of core infrastructure purchased from a recent CFI award. The ChemiDoc Touch supports the acquisition of images from a wide range of gels and blots using a supersensitive camera with a charge-coupled device and a large maximum aperture lens that provides high chemiluminescent sensitivity. The imager has a built in UV transilluminator and white LEDS for epi (reflective) illumination. Digital images are processed in Image lab where quantitation of Westerns is possible with and without Stain free technology.
ImageXpress
Where: LKSKI room 450
Who to contact: Research Facilities
The ImageXpress is a High Content System/Adherent Cell Cytometer which allows researchers to get cell-by-cell fluorescence information and morphological information on adherent cells in an automated manner. It is particularly useful for tumorsphere counting and size determination, quantitative immunofluorescence for up to 7 colours, adherent cell viability assays, cell proliferation analysis, and quantitative monitoring of phagocytosis.