Imaging and Molecular Biology Platform

McGill University, Montréal, Québec
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
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.