Pre Clinical Imaging MicroCT

We are excited to announce the arrival of a new piece of innovative pre-clinical imaging equipment: the microCT. It is located on the 6th floor of the LKSKI, room 651. This advanced imaging system offers ultra-fast scanning for small and medium-sized animals, complete with pulmonary and cardiac gating capabilities.

If you are interested in using this piece of equipment for your study, please follow these steps:

  1. Contact the preclinical imaging specialist to see if the micro CT is right for your study.
  2. Submit a registration form describing your study.
  3. If applicable, ensure that you have Animal Care Committee approval. 
  4. Complete the relevant training.
  5. Plan a pilot experiment before scheduling the first scan.

For more information, visit the Pre-Clinical Imaging Core.

If you are interested in using any in vivo imaging equipment, receiving in person training or have a tour of the Pre-Clinical Imaging Core, please contact Colleen Ding at x49342 or by email at colleen.ding@unityhealth.to.

 

Our Histology lab has expanded!

Research Facilities is happy to announce the expansion of the Histology Lab! We are pleased to introduce two rooms of the Histology Lab on the 6th floor of LKSKI, Histology Lab 1 - Room 666 and Histology Lab 2 - Room 643, each with a number of new and existing pieces of equipment.

The histology equipment booking calendar has been updated and you can continue to book equipment. Individuals who already have access to Histology Lab 1, Room 666 should have access to both rooms now. If you have any issues with this, please contact Security at Ext. 5323.

If you are interested in using any histology equipment, receiving in person training or booking a tour of the Histology Lab, please contact Xiaofeng Lu, Histology specialist at Ext. 77513 or by email at Xiaofeng.lu@unityhealth.to.

 

Annual Safety Refresher Training Modules - Now Updated

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the updated Biosafety, Lab Safety, and Chemical Safety annual refresher training courses. As part of our ongoing commitment to your safety and preparedness, we have incorporated enhancements into the training.  Additionally, we are excited to introduce a new training module on Emergency Response Procedures. This module has been designed to equip you with the knowledge and protocols to respond to emergencies effectively. By familiarizing yourself with these procedures, you create a safer working environment for yourself and your colleagues. Check out this quick video to learn more.

Access the updated training modules here. 

Note that all researchers must complete the updated annual refreshers before this year’s lab audits. Should you encounter any technical difficulties or have any questions regarding the training content, please do not hesitate to reach out to researchfacilities@unityhealth.to.

 

Recycling Lab Waste

We are excited to announce that a centralized recycling bin to recycle paper, cardboard and packing boxes is now available on the 7th floor in the north hallway. A large landfill container has also been set up for packaging material such as bubble wrap and ice packs. Please ensure that you flatten the cardboard boxes before putting them in the recycling container.

Research Core Facilities Newsletter 

We are proud to present the June edition of the Research Core Facilities newsletter! The RCF newsletter is a way to keep you informed about important updates from each of our core labs, with topics ranging from equipment updates, safety training, core clinics, and general reminders.

Click here to read the RCF Newsletter

 

Corning Cell Counters Now Available 

We are excited to introduce you to our new Corning Cell Counters, which are now available for use in the Analytical Rooms:

  • 4th floor - Rm 458
  • 6th Floor - Rm 654

These cell counters are user-friendly and easy to operate. Simply log into the cloud based app, load the disposable counting chamber with 10 µl sample premixed with Trypan Blue (1:1), place it on the stage, focus on your cells, and press the ‘Count’. This SOP provides detailed instructions and serves as a quick reference guide.

As part of our roll-out, we are pleased to offer free samples of the disposable counting chambers. If you are interested in receiving these samples, or would like to schedule a one-on-one demo with your own samples provided, please do not hesitate to reach out to monika.lodyga@unityhealth.to or neha.chauhan@unityhealth.to.

 

Recycling Lab Waste

We are happy to announce that recycling is now available on the 4th, 5th and 6th floor lab spaces. A large recycling bin has been set up in the north hallways to recycle paper, cardboard and packing boxes. A large landfill container has also been set up for packaging material such as bubble wrap and ice packs. Please ensure that you flatten the cardboard boxes before putting them in the recycling container.

 

Save Your Styrofoam! 

In partnership with the University of Toronto, styrofoam boxes smaller than 20" x 20" x 20" can be returned to MedStore to be reused. We have set up a small bin in the LKSKI receiving dock area as a designated collection point. Please place any styrofoam boxes in this bin for MedStore to pick up.

 

For more information, please contact emma.oneil@unityhealth.to or info@uoftmedstore.com

 

Deliveries and Packages for LKSKI 

On account of the bridge and tunnel closure, all deliveries should be addressed to: 209 Victoria Street Loading Dock, Victoria Laneway, M5B 1T8, Toronto, ON. The hospital will no longer be transporting packages between 30 Bond St and 209 Victoria Street. 

 

Name Signs for Graduate Seating Rooms

New name signs have been installed on all the storage units in the graduate seating rooms. This signage allows for students to display their names on the locker that is assigned to them.

Name Template Instructions

Name Template

 

Composting Paper Towels in LKSKI Bathrooms

We are happy to announce that the LKSKI bathrooms now have a separate container for composting paper towels. Please ensure that only paper towels are put into this container to avoid contamination. 

For any feedback or concerns, please contact emma.oneil@unityhealth.to.

 

What really goes in the sharps bin?

Throughout the facility, new sharps posters have been posted to help users identify what is considered a sharp or not.

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to neha.chauhan@unityhealth.to.

 

New Equipment in the Microfabrication Core

We are pleased to announce a new piece of equipment that has been added to our Microfabrication Core – the Zetasizer Advance Series – Ultra (Red Label) particle analysis instrument. The Zetasizer has been successfully installed in the 7th-floor Analytical Room and is ready for users. 

Zetasizer Ultra is a top-of-the-line instrument based on Dynamic Light Scattering technology. 

Some of the key features of Zetasizer are:

  • High-resolution measurements for particle size range between 0.3 nm and 10 μm
  • Particle concentration measurements of absolute particle concentration, calibration-free
  • Reliable zeta measurements in high conductivity samples
  • Repeatable and accurate measurements of protein electrophoretic mobility by minimizing aggregation risk at the electrodes during the measurement
  • Minimum sample volume 3 μL.

We are pleased to also announce that the Direct Write "Maskless" Lithography system MicroWriter ML®3 has been added to the Microfabrication Core. The MicroWriter has been successfully installed in the 7th floor cleanroom and is ready for users. The instrument was funded by Dr. Scott Tsai's CFI IF grant.

This system will allow users to make a photolithography mask for their projects or use it as a stand-alone "maskless" instrument for direct writing onto the photoresist substrates. It will be helpful for researchers making microfluidics devices, microarrays,  microlenses, microelectronics, and patterning photosensitive biomaterials for scaffolds used in tissue engineering and cell studies. With this instrument, the entire process flow can be completed in our cleanroom with significantly reduced manufacturing lead times.

For additional information about the instrument, training and use, please contact Microfabrication Core Specialist, Dario Bogojevic at Dario.Bogojevic@unityhealth.to.

 

Research Facilities Email Changes

We have switched over the following emails ending in @smh.ca to end in @unityhealth.to:

ResearchFacilities@smh.ca is now ResearchFacilities@unityhealth.to

vivarium@smh.ca is now vivarium@unityhealth.to

acc@smh.ca is now acc@unityhealth.to

Emails sent to the @smh.ca email addresses will be redirected to the new @unityhealth.to email addresses.

 

Need to centrifuge your samples at high speed?

New high-speed and ultra-speed centrifuges are available for booking in room 654. To use these centrifuges, all new users will need to complete our online training module found here, and contact core specialist Colleen Ding to receive hands-on training. A PIN will then be provided to obtain access. Existing users who have already received hands on training or have experience using the centrifuges can contact Colleen Ding to receive a PIN without completing the online training module.

Please remember to book all centrifuges in advance.

If you have any questions, please contact Colleen Ding at Colleen.Ding@unityhealth.to.

Ultracentrifuge Training Module     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please label all compressed gas tanks in LKSKI receiving area

A section of the loading dock/receiving area of the LKSKI is devoted to storing the compressed gases that many groups use in their work. An audit of the area was undertaken recently that highlighted a large number of stored tanks that have been stored, unused, for long periods of time. We are asking all group's to: 

  1. Clearly label all cylinders with the group’s name

  2. Only store the minimum amount that you require for your work

  3. If the cylinder is not used and is not going to be used in the near future, please arrange for the company that rented you the cylinder to collect it

 

Moving forward, there will be monthly checks on the storage area and any cylinder found without a label identifying the group will be returned to the supplier.

 

Change in Chemical Waste Disposal Guidelines

We have updated our chemical waste disposal guidelines. To view the updated document, please click here. Hazardous waste stickers are available in Room  545. Please remember to stick them on the waste bottle as soon as you start collecting the waste. If you have any questions/concerns, please email the Biosafety Officer, Neha Chauhan at Neha.Chauhan@unityhealth.to

 

Security Enhancements

We are excited to announce that, based on your feedback, we have made some security enhancements to the Research Facility Business Management System (RFBMS). 

These new changes will make your experience with us easier, faster and more secure!

See More ›

 

 

Honey, I shrunk the lab: Technology for making small devices has a big impact for St. Michael’s and Ryerson researchers

In medical imaging research, bubbles that are too small to be seen by the naked eye can help scientists see things they’ve never seen before – and St. Michael’s  Hospital now has the tools on-site to create, control and validate them through research. 

Read More ›

 

 

 

 

 

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Connect With Us

Do you have any questions, or suggestions? Connect with us:

ResearchFacilities@unityhealth.to

 

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