Research on genomic instability, cancer, cellular and disease processes, using cell imaging, live cell, spectral, three-dimensional, and super resolution imaging.
The Genomic Centre for Cancer Research and Diagnosis (GCCRD) is a high-technology facility for digital imaging and analysis. Research at the GCCRD includes projects in molecular biology, cell biology, histopathology, and various genetic diseases. The goals of the GCCRD are basic and translational research, technology development and implementation/translation into practice, education of students and highly qualified personnel in all areas of imaging and its applications. With focus on quantitative imaging and analysis, the instrumentation and techniques used are equally applicable for the study of cellular processes in healthy and diseased cells and related investigations. The super resolution imaging enables single molecule analysis. The centre provides assistance with grant and fellowship application, experimental design and publications where imaging-related methods are used.
- Microscopy and imaging of live cells
- Study of relative nuclear and cytosolic protein levels by quantitative fluorescent immunostaining
- Spectral karyotyping (SKY)
- Spectral imaging
- Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) (incl. multicolour FISH (M-FISH), multicolour banding (mBANDing), quantitative-FISH (Q-FISH))
- Automatic slide scanning
- Histology
- Pathology
- 3 dimensional (3D) imaging
- Deconvolution
- Laser chromosome micro dissection
- Super resolution imaging
- Laser micro dissection to isolate single cells or areas of tissue
- Education
- Healthcare and social services
- Information and communication technologies and media
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Specialized labs and equipment
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| ASI scanner | Scanning, tissue arrays, immunofluorescence. |
| Deconvolution stations (3) | 2D- and 3D-FISH and immunofluorescence. |
| Laser microdissection station | Laser microdissection of chromosomes, extra-chromosomal DNA, and single cells. |
| ZEISS Axiovert Live cell station | Fluorescence and brightfield imaging of live cells and quantification of fluorescent signals. |
| Metasystems station | Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), multicolour FISH (M-FISH), karyotyping (fluorescent and brightfield), multicolour banding (mBANDing), and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). |
| Pathology station | Brightfield microscopy of chromosomes, cells, and tissues. |
| Scanning metasystems station | Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), multicolour FISH (M-FISH), karyotyping (fluorescent and brightfield); multiple slide platform for metaphase, cells, and FISH signal detection. |
| ASI Spectral Karyotyping (SKY) station | Spectral karyotyping (SKY) of mouse and human chromosomes, FISH, CGH, CGH array, spectral FISH, G-banding, karyotyping. |
| Zeiss Elyra 7 super resolution imaging station | 2D and 3D high-resolution live and fixed cell (resolution down to 1 nm) fluorescence imaging, Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (PALM), Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM). |
| Zeiss Axio Imager Z1 microscope | 2D and 3D fluorescence microscopy, FISH, Q-FISH, immunofluorescence. |
| Zeiss Axio Imager Z2 microscopes | 2D and 3D fluorescence microscopy, FISH, Q-FISH, immunofluorescence. |
| Data analysis stations (6) | Image processing, deconvolution, analysis. |
| MMI CellCut Plus system | UV laser & adhesive caps that allow isolation of pure cells or tissue sections from slides |