Biomedical Research Facilities Equipment
Microscopy
Leica Inverted Microscope
Olympus IX71 Inverted Microscope
Fluorescent Microscopy is a highly useful technique that helps scientists in biomedical field identify critical elements using molecular fluorescent probes through visualization of realistic images at cellular level. The CBE microscopy core lab hosts three fluorescent microscopes to cope with most popular imaging work in histology and cell biology.
The Leica DMi8 System is a high profile inverted fluorescent microscope capable of conducting X, Y, Z and T 4-dimentional imaging for up four fluorescent channels with representative fluorophores DAPI, FITC, Cy3 and Cy5. The "Navigator" function allows large area scanning and imaging at the specified magnification via an internal auto-stitching process. Time lapse imaging is available and autofocus is optional. Objectives range from 5x to 40x and the 5x, 10x and 20x objectives are long working distance ones meaning that they are good for imaging both slides as well as common culture vessels. Phase contrast is available (needs to be confirmed).
The Olympus BX51 upright and IX71 inverted fluorescent microscopes share same filter configuration with three fluorescent channels available with representative fluorophores DAPI, FITC, and TRITC, respectively. Objectives range from 4x to 100xoil. Phase contrast and DIC mode are available in DX51 and phase contrast mode is available in IX71. DP71 CCD camera and DP controller/manager software is shared by both microscopes for X, Y and T 3-dimentional imaging.
Regarding the service, the fluorescent microscopy core provides essential training and troubleshooting on instrument operation. Our standard charge applies to training and machine operation. Please contact us for more information.
The following links are useful resources related to our microscopic instruments.
For the Leica Inverted Microscope:
https://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/light-microscopes/p/leica-dmi8/
For the Olympus BX51 Upright Microscope:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/796677/Olympus-Bx51.html
For the Olympus IX71 Inverted Microscope:
https://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_product.asp?id=839
Flow Cytometry
MACSQuant 10
BD Influx
BD Influx
Flow Cytometry is a technique that researchers employ to measure physical or chemical characteristics of cells or particles when the cells or particles are lined up in a stream of liquid suspension and pass through laser beams. Flow Cytometry is a powerful tool for counting and sorting cells, determining cell markers and function, detecting microorganisms to help with diagnosing and treating diseases.
The CBE Flow Cytometry Core possess a sorter and an analyzer that allows scientists to simultaneously analyze multiple characteristics of cells or particles as well as sort them into multiple forms of collection vessels for research purposes. The 3-laser 8-color 2-scatter MACSQuant analyzer, manufactured by Miltenyi Biotec, comes along with automated sample loaders that expands the user's flexibility in sampling. The 5-laser 12-color 3-scatter BD Influx sorter is equipped with a small particle FSC detector, and it provides the state-of-the-art level of sorting service.
Regarding the service, our Flow Cytometry Core provides essential training on operating the machines, especially the analyzer, which provides technical support for trouble shooting. We also provide consultation and hands-on service on experimental design, operation of machine, and data analysis.
Our standard charge applies to MACSQuant training, machine operation and consultation at a flat rate. Please contact us for more information.
The following resources explain our MACSQuant specifications as well as some popular spectrum viewers open to public which can assist users in choosing compatible fluorophores.
https://www.miltenyibiotec.com/upload/assets/IM0011348.PDF
https://www.bdbiosciences.com/kr/research/multicolor/spectrum_viewer/index.jsp
Tissue Cultural Core
pH Reader
Hoods
Incubator
Tissue Culture (TC) is an essential and long-lasting technique for biomedical researches. The CBE Tissue Culture Core, which is set up for biosafety level 2 (BSL-2), offers up to a full range TC service from training new researchers on TC technique, allowing authorized users to work on their cultures independently, to culturing and maintaining cells for users having this need. Our core lab hosts two biosafety cabinets, two CO2 incubators, and all necessary other equipment including but not restricted to a water bath, a BF microscope, centrifuges for users to complete a typical TC job. Users are required to bring their own consumables.
Regarding the service, the CBE Tissue Culture Core provides essential training on tissue culture and troubleshooting on instrument operation. In addition, we offer service of culturing and maintaining cell lines for the users. Our standard charge applies to training and machine operation at a flat rate. Please contact us for more information.
The following links are useful resources related to the tissue culture:
Pulse and Engineering Core
60ns pulse generator
200ns-10µs pulse generator
Mechanical shop instruments (partial)
Exploring the effects of electric pulses of high voltage and short duration on the biological system has been a special interdisciplinary area in biomedical research. To facilitate the diversity of study purpose and flexibility of approaches, the CBE Engineering Core provides one house-made and one commercially purchased pulse generator (or pulsers) for users to choose. Additionally, we have a shop room with a variety of machines set up for users to make customized structures needed for their engineering projects.
The 60ns Pulser is a home-manufactured pulse generator with a fixed pulse duration of 60 nanoseconds.
It requires a particular type of cuvette to load cells in and the voltage across the cuvette is up to 5kv. The frequency of pulses has to be set manually.
The Multi-duration Pulser manufactured by Avtech and with model#AVOZ-D7-B, is a fully automated pulse generator with adjustable pulse width and voltage level ranging from 200ns to 10 µs and 30v to 1kv, respectively. It can be applied to a cuvette or a dish setting under a microscope.
The shop room hosts one bench lathe, mills, a band saw, an air compressor, and other small commonly used tools. At this moment, only experienced users fresh users accompanied by experienced users are allowed to use the shop room.
Regarding the service, the CBE Engineering Core provides essential training and troubleshooting on instrument operation. Our standard charge applies to training and machine operation at a flat rate. Please contact us for more information.
The following links are useful resources related to our instruments.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.31071
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4362372/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006291X12007760?via%3Dihub
Accessory Core
In addition to major instruments that facilitate specific methodology used in research projects, the CBE Core provides accessory support with instruments to create conditions commonly needed for scientific research regardless of research type.
The following table lists our accessory core instruments. Please contact us for the rates.
Instruments |
Condition |
Liquid nitrogen |
LN2 tank volume up to 100L, others contigent to normal use |
Flake ice |
|
Reverse osmosis H2O (RO H2O) |
|
House vacuum |
|
House compressed air |
|
Ultrapure H2O |
|
Refrigerator/Freezer, 4⁰C - 20⁰C |
1 day - 2 weeks |
2 weeks - 1 months |
|
1 - 3 months |
|
3 -6 months |
|
6 month - 1 year |
|
Low temperature freezer, -80⁰C -125⁰C |
1 day - 2 weeks |
2 weeks - 1 months |
|
1 - 3 months |
|
3 -6 months |
|
6 month - 1 year |
|
Autoclave, table-top |
N/A |
Autoclave, floor model |
N/A |
References:
Liquid nitrogen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_nitrogen
Ultrapure H2O: https://www.lenntech.com/applications/ultra-pure-water.htm
Molecular Biology Core
Gel and Blot Imager
Ultra Centrifuge
RT-PCR
MAGPIX Analyzer
Plate Reader
Seahorse XF Mini Analyzer
Molecular Biology tools are useful in assisting scientists gain information and build knowledge by working an assay at the molecular level. The CBE Molecular Biology Core possesses five instruments that are used for helping with molecular sample preparation or DNA and/or protein analysis at the user's choice.
The MAGPIX Analyzer, manufactured by Luminex, is a device using xMAP technology, which incorporates magnetic beads, fluorescent labeling and CCD imaging techniques, to conduct multiplex quantitative and qualitative analysis of protein or nucleic acid molecules. It is capable of examining up to 50 analytes with the sensitivity of ~106 copies of DNA or single-digit pictogram levels of protein in up to a one-hour reading period of time. Users need to purchase the assay kits which are commercially available on a wide range of platforms.
The Plate Reader manufactured by Molecular Devices and modeled SpectraMax i3, is a popular tool for quantitative or qualitative detection of molecular analytes such as proteins, nucleic acids via light beam assisted immune- or biochemical reactions. Our machine holds three light detection modes, absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence in one unit, and is able to read from both sides of a plate of 6-1536 wells for a spectrum ranging from 230-1000 nm at the user's choice. There are also multiple types of reading options such as kinetics, well scan, and spectrum.
The Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) or quantitative PCR (qPCR) machine, manufactured by BioRad and modeled as CFX Connect, offers an easy-to-grab tool for amplification and quantitative analysis of DNA and/or RNA. It works with a 96-well plate platform with excitation and emission wavelength of 450-580 nm. Reaction volume ranges at 1-50 ul and it detects up to 2 targets per reaction with the sensitivity up to 1 copy of DNA.
The Gel Imaging System, manufactured by BioRad and modeled as ChemiDoc MP, offers a wide range of imaging from UV to near infrared light (NIF) on gels or blots for DNA and protein identification, quantification and documentation. It is capable of conducting colorimetric, fluorescent, as well as chemiluminescent detections for up to three colors at a time. With RioRad stain-free gel, normalization can be done without running house-keeping genes.
The Ultracentrifuge, manufactured by Beckman Coulter and modeled as Beckman Coulter Optima L-90K offers refrigerated high performance centrifugation for separation of small particles such as plasma membrane fragments, viral particles and so on. There are two rotors available in our lab, the SW 40 Ti wing rotor providing up to 290,000g of centrifugation force and the Type 70 Ti angle fixed rotor providing up to 500,000g of centrifugation force. Special tubes are required for ultracentrifugation.
The Agilent Seahorse XF Mini Analyzer is a metabolic analyzer that can simultaneously measure the two major energy producing pathways of the cell - mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis via reporting oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), respectively - in living cells in a microplate format, in real time. Automated injection ports enable detection of real-time live-cell responses to up to 4 stimuli. Heating system helps maintain samples at 16-40⁰C as needed.
Regarding the service, our molecular biology core provides essential training and troubleshooting on instrument operation. Our standard charge applies to training and machine operation at a flat rate. Please contact us for more information.
The following links are useful resources related to our instruments.
For MAGPIX Analyzer:
https://www.bio-rad.com/en-us/product/bio-plex-magpix-multiplex-reader?ID=M3VE8D15
https://kitfinder.luminexcorp.com/
file:///C:/Users/Yu/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/SS442.0816.xMAPTechnology.edits.v4%20(1).pdf
For the plate reader:
For RT-PCR:
For ChemiDoc MP gel and blot imager:
https://www.bio-rad.com/en-us/product/chemidoc-mp-imaging-system?ID=NINJ8ZE8Z
For the ultracentrifuge:
https://sbmsaiumu.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/type-70-ti.pdf (Refer to pages 7-10 for tube selection on rotor Type 70 Ti)
https://btiscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/SW-41-Ti.pdf (Refer to pages 6-7 for tube selection on rotor SW 40 Ti)
For Seahorse Metabolic Analyzer:
https://www.agilent.com/en/products/cell-analysis/seahorse-analyzers/seahorse-xf-hs-mini-analyzer
Small Animal Imaging and Irradiation
X-Ray Irradiator
IVIS Spectrum
Laser Doppler System
IV100 Intravital Fluorescent Microscopy System
Animal imaging is a valuable methodology for gathering data that aids preclinical studies and development of ideal for non- or minimally invasive longitudinal monitoring of disease progression, cell trafficking, and gene expression. Sometimes, cells or animals also need to be irradiated in order to acquire the condition that is best for experimental investigation. Located in the securely managed vivarium, the CBE Small Animal Imaging and Irradiation Core possesses four instruments.
The IVIS Spectrum marketed by Caliper, a PerkinElmer company for non-invasive imaging of small animals, commonly mice, rats, and guinea pigs, is equipped with 10 excitation filters and 18 detection filters spanning 430-850 nm in wavelength. It also has two detection modes, epi- and trans- for detection of fluorescent/bioluminescent light in shallow and deep tissues, respectively.
The LDI2 Laser Doppler System, manufactured by Moor Instruments, offers a non-invasive solution to blood flow measurement using the infrared laser light to facilitate research applications on study of angiogenesis and reperfusion. The spatial resolution and the scan area, which are inversely related, can reach up to 100 micron and 50cmx50cm, respectively.
The Olympus IV100 Intravital Microscopy System provides a tool for users to image cellular and subcellular changes on live small animals with minimal surgery options. The system is equipped with four lasers 488, 561, 633 and 748nm and a position-adjustable scanhead for up to an X,Y,Z,T 4-dimensional scan.
The X-ray Irradiator, manufactured by RadSource, is designed primarily for whole body irradiation of small animals for bone marrow ablation. In addition, it can be used for applications on cells and medical devices. It provides stable and uniform irradiation at the intensity of 0.01-95Gr/min for the duration of 1-9999 seconds in a highly safe manner.
Regarding the service, our Small Animal Imaging and Irradiation Core provides essential training and troubleshooting on instrument operation. Users have to obtain proper training and IRB approval in order to carry out animal work.
Our standard charge applies to training and machine operation. Data analysis is charged at a flat rate. Please contact us for more information.
The following links are useful resources related to our instruments.
For IVIS:
https://www.perkinelmer.com/product/ivis-instrument-spectrum-120v-andor-c-124262
https://ctac.mbi.ufl.edu/files/2017/02/@-IVIS-Spectrum-User-Manual-4.3.1.pdf
For Laser Doppler:
https://www.moor.co.uk/en-us/products/imaging/laser-doppler-imaging/
For Intravital Microscope:
https://health.usf.edu/medicine/corefacilities/animal-imaging-core/olympus_iv10
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3051165/
For X-ray Irradiator:
http://www.radsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/RS2000_EN.pdf
https://www.radsource.com/faq-and-support/faq-rs-2000-irradiator/
Tissue Processing and Cell Separation
Cryostat
Tissue Dissociator (gentleMACS Octo)
Cell Separator (autoMACS Pro)
Tissue processing, histology sampling, and cell separation is important for researchers to obtain proper format of samples from human/animal studies in vivo or ex vivo. The CBE Tissue Processing and Cell Separation Core hosts three instruments to facilitate the process.
The Cryostat, carried out by ThermoFisher Scientific, provides a fast approach of cut for preparation of non-paraffin embedded histological slides. It is particularly useful for samples required non-denatured condition. The cut thickness is 1-500 micron and chamber temperature can be lowered to -30⁰C. UV disinfection is available. Users need to bring their own consumable supplies, such as blades, OCT compound, slides for uses on a regular basis.
The Tissue Disscoiator, modeled as gentleMACS™ Octo manufactured by Miltenyi Biotek, is a fully automated device for tissue dissociation or homogenization. It's equipped with numerous manufacture-optimized programs, popular applications of which include human and mouse tumor, mouse spleen, lung, epidermis, liver, mouse and rat skeletal muscles, neonatal heart, and more. Pre-treatment of tissue following manufacture's recommendation using their specific reagents is usually needed. Our instrument allows up to eight samples running independently at a time. Single-cell suspensions or thorough homogenates are easily obtained using the unique sterile C Tubes (for cells) or M Tubes (for lysates).
The Cell Separator, modeled as autoMACS Pro manufactured by Miltenyi Biotek, is a bench-top device for automated cell isolation utilizing magnetic beads labeling and pre-installed separation protocols. It also has auto labeling program that allows fast fully automated isolation of subsets of immune cells from the whole blood. Customers are recommended to bring their own columns.
Regarding the service, our tissue processing and cell separation core provides essential training and troubleshooting on instrument operation.
Our standard charge applies to training and machine operation at a flat rate. Please contact us for more information.
The following links are useful resources related to our instruments.
For Cryostat instruction manual:
https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/APD/manuals/HM%20525%20Cryostat%20387779.pdf
For GentleMACS Octo Tissue Dissociator:
For SutoMACS Pro Cell Separator: