Genomics lab Technologies and equipment

Genomics Equipment Park

We have a wide range of equipment in our facility that can be used on a service-basis or by trained Crick scientists. These include:

Real-Time PCR quantitation –Thermal cycling systems (96 well and 384 well format) designed to detect fluorescence during the thermal cycling of PCR. By plotting the increase in fluorescence versus the cycle number, the system produces amplification plots that provide a more complete picture of the PCR reaction.

Available for general use – training given.

PHERASTARPlus micro-plate reader – multi-detection HTS micro-plate reader with Simultaneous Dual Emission in all modes. The reader is able to perform all leading non-isotopic detection technologies including:

Fluorescence Intensity, Fluorescence Polarization, Time-Resolved Fluorescence, TR-FRET, Luminescence and Absorbance UV/Vis.

Available for general use – training given.

PerkinElmer EnVision Multilabel Reader – the instrument features modular label-specific optical mirror modules, high energy flash lamps, high-speed detectors and can accept micro-plates from 98 to 1536 wells. EnVision can handle kinetic measurements for enzyme assays and scanning of the well area for cellular assays. Detection options include Fluorescence Intensity, Fluorescence Polarisation, Time-Resolved Fluorescence, Luminescence and Absorbance.

Available for general use – training given.

The QIAgility is a bench-top instrument for automated setup of PCR reactions (inc. quantitative PCR, Sanger DNA sequencing) that is able to handle a wide variety of tube and plate formats. The system performs the preparation of master mix from individual reaction components and dilutions of standard series. Optionally available UV light and HEPA filter help to reduce the risk of sample carry-over.

In addition to PCR set-up, the flexibilty of the system allows high-precision pipetting applications including:

  • Normalization of DNA and RNA concentration
  • Transfer of liquid samples from one tube format to another
  • Serial dilutions with variable dilution ratios
  • Sample pooling

Operated by facility staff.

Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer – the instrument detects biomolecules by laser-induced fluorescence. During chip preparation, a dye concentrate is mixed with the gel. With the help of the priming station, the channels of the chip are filled with the gel-dye mix. During the chip run, the dye intercalates directly with DNA or RNA.

Operated by facility staff. Available for general use by arrangement.

The Beckman FX liquid handling robot is a dual ’pod’ automation system for parallel pipetting, and other liquid transfer techniques. Its low volume capability helps miniaturize reaction setups and save on costly reagents. The system has a stacker carousel which feeds micro-titre plates and tip-boxes into the system, allowing multi-plate transfers. A Span-8 configuration featuring independent well access is also available for tube-based operations and where flexible access to wells in a plate is needed.

Supported applications include:

  • High-density replication
  • Assay plate set-up (PCR, quantitative PCR (384 well), ELISA, kinase etc.
  • PCR and sequencing reaction cleanup using paramagnetic technology.

Operated by facility staff.

BioRobot Universal– we provide a high throughput nucleic acid extraction, purification and quantification service.

Fully automated medium to high throughput applications from 3-5ml culture or 1.5ml deep well block format.

Liquid sensing disposable tips for contamination-free PCR clean-up.

Operated by facility staff.

DNA/RNA extraction – automated sample preparation using QIAGEN spin-column kits.

Source material : Cell (lysates). genomic and plasmid DNA.

Operated by facility staff.

Typhoon 9500 Imager – The system provides several imaging modes such a fluorescence, filmless autoradiography, and digitization of colorimetric stained gels, providing quantitative measurements of western blots, multiplex fluorescence and radio-isotopic labels.

Available for general use – training given.

ImageQuant LAS 600 – a digital (CCD) imaging system for sensitive, quantitative imaging of gels and blots without film, by chemiluminescence and fluorescence. The high sensitivity and wide dynamic range is designed to capture the signals from ECL western blotting reagents. A wide range of visible fluorescent dyes can also be imaged via Red, Green and Blue epi-illumination. .

Available for general use – training given.

Li-Cor Odyssey Infrared Imager – the imaging system offers a different way to analyse blots and gels. Odyssey is uniquely equipped with two infrared channels for direct fluorescence detection enabling simultaneous probing of two separate targets on the same gel, e.g. Western blot (see below)

Available for general use – training given.