Imaging and Molecular Biology Platform

What the facility does

Providing instruments, training and support in optical microscopy and molecular biology.

Areas of expertise

The Imaging and Molecular Biology Platform is a centralized resource for microscopy and molecular biology equipment. We provide instruments, training and assistance to internal and external researchers. Microscopy services range from confocal/multiphoton and in vivo imaging, to automated (high content) imaging and image analysis. Histological equipment and automated slide staining and robotics for automated plate handling and pipetting are also available. Molecular applications cover quantitative and qualitative sample analysis, gene expression characterization and genomics.

Research services

Consulting, instrument training and support, confocal/multiphoton microscopy, in vivo imaging, widefield microscopy, 3D image reconstruction and image analysis, high content imaging and automated image analysis, pyrosequencing, qRT-PCR, microarray, automated plate handling and pipetting, automated slide staining.

Sectors of application

Healthcare and social services

Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment

Specialized labs and equipment

Name of specialized lab	Name of equipment	Description of function
Imaging	Leica SP8MP	Confocal, multiphoton microscope. Spectral imaging, FLIM, FRET, FRAP, photon counting, SHG, tiling, live cell imaging.
	ART Optix MX3	Molecular imaging system provides 3D fluorescence and luminescence measurements in vivo or in vitro, and fluorescence lifetime measurement.
High content platform	PerkinElmer Operetta	Widefield fluorescent microscopy, from slides up to 384 well plates. Wide range of objectives and filter sets. Live cell imaging (environmental control chamber). Bowser-based image analysis software.
	PerkinElmer Janus	Automated work station with integrated plate handling, pipetting robot, washer and incubator.
Histology	Tecan GenePaint	Temperature-controlled flow-through chambers for 48 slides and 24 whole mounts. Protocols for in-situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence.
Molecular biology	Qiagen PyroMark Q96 MD and Q24	Sequence analysis; genetic variation studies, insertion/-deletions, SNPs, short tandem repeats, variable gene copy number. Mutation detection; known or unknown positions within a specific spot, point mutations, multiple mutations, insertions/deletions. Quantification; degree of DNA /CpG methylation, SNP frequency, loss of heterozygosity.
	Agilent SurePrint Scanner	Gene expression microarrays: mRNA and microRNA. DNA-based microarrays: ChIP on chip, methylation, CNV, CGH, CGH+SNPs. Custom-designed microarrays in various formats.
	ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System	SyBr Green qRT-PCR. Pre-validated or custom qPCR TaqMan assays; gene expression, miRNA, protein expression analysis, copy number variation, SNP genotyping analysis, mutation detection, pre-validated or custom qRT-PCR gene expression arrays.