Specialist research equipment

The Bio-Plex 200 system is a suspension array system which offers protein and nucleic acid researchers with a reliable multiplex assay solution that permits the analysis of up to 100 biomolecules in a single sample. Benefits are short assay time (3-4 hours), low sample volume (50ul) and better sensitivity and dynamic range compared to ELISA.

A number of pre-mixed magnetic bead-based assays are available from Bio-Rad and provide robust and reproducible measurement of proteins involved in a broad range of research areas including:

• Cancer
• Immunology/Inflammation
• Cell Signalling
• Kidney Toxicology
• Metabolic

The Essen IncuCyte is an incubator microscope system for live cell imaging and cellular assays. The system allows time lapse live cell imaging of cells in a variety of vessels, including dishes, tissue culture plates, and multi-well chambers. Images can be reviewed and analyzed from a networked remote computer without opening the incubator or disturbing the cells.

The system is especially suited for monitoring cell lines (cell growth, transgene expression, cell migration), and for high content assay development. The analysis software suite includes validated assays for cell migration, scratch wound assay, apoptosis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, reporter gene expression, and more.

UQCCR houses 2 IncuCyte systems – an Incucyte S3 and and Incucyte FLR.  The systems include:

• 4x, 10x, and 20x Nikon objectives (S3), or 10x Nikon Objective (FLR)
• Enhanced phase contrast and green fluorescence, + red fluorescence (S3 only)
• 16.4 TB (S3)/3 TB (FLR) data server
• Incucyte image viewing and analysis software. Includes many validated assays.

Accepts micro-plates (96, 48, 24, 12, and 6 well), culture flasks (T25, T75, T175), dishes (35mm and 90mm), and slide chambers.

Sample Imaging Specifications (10x objective):

• Image Resolution: 1.49 microns
• Image Format: 1280 x 1024 pixels
• Field of View: 1.90 x 1.52 mm

Fluorescence Optical Configuration:

• Green (both systems)
  • Excitation filter: 440-480 nm
  • Emission filter: 504-544 nm
• Red (S3 only)
  • Excitation filter: 565-605 nm
  • Emission filter: 625-705 nm

The Gallios is known for its' cutting edge technology and proven performance. This instrument has fantastic detection capabilities, allowing users to visualise particles down to 0.404mm in diameter. The sensitivity and resolution of the Gallios means it can detect a variety of dyes and wavelengths. It has a customised forward scatter so users will achieve an accurate size measurement. User friendly software and fast, accurate processing allows researchers to conduct experiments efficiently.

• 10 fluorescence detectors
• 3 lasers
• High speed data collection

Absorbance with High Speed Monochromator

Spark 10M outperforms other systems with its patent pending High Speed Monochromator that delivers a spectrum in just 5 sec with a range from 200-1000 nm. Ultra-fast measurements can now be performed with unsurpassed wavelength accuracy for DNA and protein quantitation.

Fusion Optics for Fluorescence

Based on Tecan's proven Quad4™ monochromator technology, Spark 10M´s new Fusion Optics is the first optical solution to combine true monochromator flexibility with filter sensitivity for a single fluorescence measurement. Freely set a wavelength via monochromator or a filter on both the excitation and emission side. For the first time ever – enjoy sensitivity and flexibility from both the top and bottom of your sample. Polarised filters are also included to enable fluorescence polarisation measurements.

Multicolour Luminescence

Optimize your assays with Spark's multi-colour luminescence option. An excellent dynamic range of 109 by using an up to 3 OD attenuation function, and 40 user-selectable filters offer unprecedented freedom for any luminescence measurements including BRET.

This intuitive real time PCR system delivers precise real-time PCR results, and is compatible with a wide array of commonly used fluorophores.  Powerful and flexible analysis applications allow outstanding visualizations of your data, and are suitable for a wide range of applications including gene expression analysis, microRNA and noncoding RNA analysis, SNP studies, somatic mutation analysis and more.  The system also supports an ever-expanding range of plug-and-play real-time assay kits, allowing researchers to quickly answer specific research questions without the need for assay development time.

The design simplicity of the Rotor Gene ensures maintenance is kept to a minimum, so users can focus on their research rather than waste time on the upkeep of their instrument. Air-driven heating and cooling allows for fast reactions. Greater sample-to-sample variation can also be observed. The powerful real-time software included with this instrument means it is equipped for:

• High resolution melt analysis (HRM)
• Real-time amplification
• End-point analysis
• Nucleic acid concentration measurement

This instrument accommodates a variety of applications, including:

• Western blots
• Cell-based imaging
• Tissue imaging
• Protein arrays, and more

Users attain clear and accurate data, as there is no loss of weak bands due to overexposure. Multiplex detection enables simultaneous two-colour target analysis and eliminates error. Direct detection means that no film, darkroom or messy substrates are necessary.

The Leica LMD7000 is a laser microdissection system  for contact­ and contamination­ free dissection and specimen collection.  LMD makes it possible to obtain homogenous, ultrapure samples from heterogenous starting material. A researcher can selectively and routinely analyse regions of interest down to single cells and chromosomes to obtain results that are reproducible, and specific.

LMD is commonly used for the following investigations:

• Absolute identification of mutations within cells of interest
• Gene expression profiling of a specific cell type within a tissue
• Identification of cell proteins during a specific physiological event
• Isolation and further cultivation of transgenic cells from a culture

The QIACube automates sample processing from over 80 different QIAGEN kits, allowing automated low-throughput DNA, RNA or protein sample processing.  Simple to use, with optimised protocols and optional user-defined protocols, the QIACube integrates seamlessly with your existing laboratory workflows.

The industry standard instruments for evaluating sample quality of biomolecules, the TapeStation provides robust low-throughput QC data from minimal sample volumes, and support NGS, microarray and qPCR workflows.  Microfluidics chips suitable for analyzing a wide array of sample types and scales are available, and allow the analysis of up to 16 samples/Screentape for the TapeStation. The TapeStation offers significant reductions in run-time compared to the Bioanalyzr, with data available in 1-2 minutes per sample.

More than 65 000 levels of grayscale resolution allows for accurate x-ray density measurement. The fully automated lens and filter systems available in this instrument together with its high resolution make it the best digital resolution available in cabinet x-ray systems.

With excellent sensitivity, this machine is used for cell imaging, single molecule analysis, and imaging minute structures (such as DNA). Offering capabilities beyond conventional imaging, the Confocal allows for Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) and Image Correlation Spectroscopy (RICS). Researchers can use up to ten dyes simultaneously enabling them to look deeper into cells and tissues (e.g. brain tissue).

• Creates detailed, high-contrast images
• Capture light released by a single plane of a sample
• More stable conditions for living cells mean live cell imaging results are more accurate

Known for its outstanding optics, the Zeiss Axio Imager has high resolution and excellent contrast. From single image acquisition to image analysis, researchers use this instrument for a range of imaging functions.

• Fantastic for fluorescence imaging
• Great for detecting parasites, bacteria or virus aggregates

The Histology suite contains the following equipment for sample processing/staining with all their basic reagents.

Leica HistoCore PEARL

The HistoCore PEARL tissue processor combines compact design with essential features needed in the laboratory: User safety and ease-of-use. This fully enclosed tissue processor provides high-end reliability with a new retort design, and allows safe and reliable conventional processing with a 200 cassette per run capacity. Logs are created per run, making it ideal for researchers working in a quality-controlled environment.

Leica HistoCore Arcadia C + H modules

The HistoCore Arcadia Hot and Cold modules allow for simple operation and precise control; resulting in improved specimen quality, smooth workflows, reliability and speed of embedding. Features include wristpads for increased comfort and stability; and an LCD touchscreen for increased control and monitoring of the instrument.

Leica Microtomes

Two microtomes are available for use - Multicut and RM2125 rotary microtome.

The Multicut is designed to combine the speed of a manual microtome with the precision of motorized specimen feeding, allowing achievement of consistent and reproducible sections. Its homing and memory positions enables fast and effortless trimming.

Leica autostainer ST5010 XL

This staining workhorse supports high specimen throughput with up to 11 racks of 30 slides at a time. Multiple programs, such as dewaxing and H&E, can also be run simultaneously.

ThermoFisher Scientific CryoStar NX70 cryostat

The cryostar NX70 cryostat comes with a large open chamber with bright LED lighting, integrated color LCD touchscreen and joystick for improved workflows. The ergonomical design includes a height adjustment with comfortable form-fitting front panel and armrest to reduce user fatigue. Its rapid response temperature control allows efficient cooling of the object holder, blade holder and cryobar. The knife holder advances instead of the specimen head, thereby reducing sample wobble and improving sectioning. Dedicated holders are also available for low and high profile blades.