Genomic Centre for Cancer Research and Diagnosis

University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
What the facility does

Research on genomic instability, cancer genetics and cell imaging

Areas of expertise

The Genomic Centre for Cancer Research and Diagnosis is a high-technology facility for digital imaging and analysis. Research at the GCCRD includes projects in molecular biology, cell biology, histopathology, and genetic diseases. The goals of the GCCRD are basic and translational research, as well as the education of students and highly qualified personnel in genomic instability, cancer genetics and imaging.

Research services
  • Microscopy and imaging of live cells,
  • Study of relative nuclear and cytosolic protein levels by quantitative fluorescent immuno-staining,
  • Spectral Karyotyping (SKY),
  • Spectral imaging,
  • Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH), Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) (incl. multicolour-FISH (M-FISH), multicolour-Banding (m-BANDing), quantitative-FISH (Q-FISH) ),
  • Automatic slide scanning,
  • Histology,
  • Pathology, 
  • 3-Dimensional (3-D) imaging,
  • Deconvolution,
  • Confocal microscopy
  • Laser chromosome micro-dissection,
  • Super resolution imaging
  • Laser micro dissection to isolate single cells or areas of tissue 
Sectors of application
  • Education
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Information and communication technologies and media
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment

Equipment

Function

ASI scanner

Scanning, tissue arrays, immunofluorescence

Deconvolution stations (2)

2D- and 3D- FISH and immunofluorescence

Laser microdissection station

Laser microdissection of chromosomes, extra-chromosomal DNA, and single cells

Live cell station (AxioVert)

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 bright field), multi-colour banding (mBANDing), and Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH)

Pathology station

Bright field microscopy of chromosomes, cells, and tissues

Scanning metasystems station

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH), multicolour-FISH (M-FISH), karyotyping (fluorescent and bright field); multiple slide platform for metaphase, cells, and FISH signal detection

ASI Spectral Karyotyping (SKY) station (1)

Spectral karyotyping (SKY) of mouse and human chromosomes, FISH, CGH, CGH array, spectral FISH, G-banding, karyotyping

Zeiss super resolution imaging station

2D and 3D high-resolution (20 nm) fluorescence imaging, laser scanning microscopy, FRET, FRAP, RICS, PALM, SIM

Zeiss Axio Imager Z1 microscope station

Zeiss Axio Imager Z2 (2)

2D and 3D fluorescence microscopy, FISH, Q-FISH, immunofluorescence

Data analysis stations (6)

Image processing, deconvolution, analysis

MMI CellCut Plus

UV laser & adhesive caps that allow  isolation of pure cells or tissue sections from slides