Overview
Within our Centre for Systems Health and Integrated Metabolic Research (SHiMR), the foundation of innovation is embodied by our state-of-the-art Imaging and Technology Facilities. This impressive assembly of advanced equipment work together to raise the bar for the standards of research excellence.
Some of these facilities are open for use by external partners and companies. If you're interested in learning more or considering the possibility of utilizing our cutting-edge resources, we encourage you to reach out.
If you'd like to find out more, the relevant contacts are provided in each equipment section.
Our facilities
The BD FACSMelody cell sorter with an easy-to-use BD FACSChorus™ software allows high-purity isolation of cells from mixed populations. Our FACSMelody is configured with two lasers, Blue (488 nm) & Yellow/Green (561 nm), plus photomultiplier tubes for the detection of up to six fluorescent parameters.
Forward and side scatter detectors allow for a minimum detectable particle size of 0.5 μm. The maximum throughput rate is 40,000 events per second. Cells from most types of tissues can be sorted with the use of the removable 100 μm nozzle and can be either achieved by two-way sort using 1.5, 2.0 and 5.0 ml tubes, or one-way sort using 6, 24, 48, 96, or 384 well plates or a microscope slide. Collection tubes, plates, or slides can be maintained at specified warm or cool temperatures using a water recirculation unit.
For more information, please contact: nikoletta.kalenderoglou@ntu.ac.uk.
The Agilent Cary Eclipse fluorescence spectrometer is sensitive, accurate, and flexible. Ideal for use as a routine fluorometer, and can easily switch between fluorescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, and bioluminescence measurements.It is ideal for fluorescent measurements in life sciences and biotechnology, with high sensitivity and inherent bleaching protection for photosensitive samples. Fast data collection enables kinetics measurements.
Compatible with ambient, Peltier, and water thermostatted single cell holder. The instrument alsoperforms polarization-dependent wavelength scans and single-point reads. Measure polarization as a function of temperature using the thermal software application in the Agilent Cary WinFLR software.
For more information, please contact zahraa.al-ahmady@ntu.ac.uk.
The Exoview R200 (Nanoview) allows single extracellular vesicle (EV) quantification of surface or intravesicle markers. Based on the capturing of tetraspanins via specific chip-bound antibodies, there is no need for EV purification, in principle. It is based on immunofluorescence and apart from markers quantification, it allows measurement of EV concentration and size.
For more information, please contact elisabetta.verderio-edwards@ntu.ac.uk.
The LiCOR digital scanning system is applicable for Western Blotting (including multiplex), In-cell Western Assays, On-Cell Western Assays, Protein Arrays, ELISA, DNA Gel Staining, and Tissue Section Imaging . The system uses infrared wavelengths 700nm and 800nm. For Western Blotting, the system provides high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range for protein detection. The system can scan Nitrocellulose or Low Fluorescence PVDF. It requires conjugated fluorescent secondary antibodies at the relevant infrared wavelengths, which are generally used at 1/1000 dilution.
For more information, please contact: mark.christian@ntu.ac.uk or awais.younis@ntu.ac.uk.
The Nanolive 3D Cell Explorer HoloTomographic Microscope with Fluorescence allows label-free imaging of live cells. A low-power laser beam gets phase-shifted when sent through samples, this phase shift is then used to generate 3D-images of the refractive indices of the observed samples.Can be used to resolve the spatial and temporal dynamics of mitochondria, lipid droplets andmitochondria-lipid droplet interactions. Also applicable for monitoring cytotoxicity and cell death. The environmental chamber allows 4D image capture.Website : https://www.nanolive.ch/
For more information, please contact: mark.christian@ntu.ac.uk or alice.murphy@ntu.ac.uk.
Other facilities
Our Imaging Suite is nestled within the School of Science and Technology. Housed within the state-of-the-art £23 million Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) at Clifton Campus, this suite offers advanced microscopy and spectroscopy services for research, education, and commercial needs.
Our research groups
Our facilities and technology support our four main research groups:
Antimicrobial Resistance, Omics and Microbiota (AROM)
Antimicrobial Resistance, Omics and Microbiota (AROM) research group incorporate classical microbiology, molecular biology, systems biology and bioinformatics.
Metabolic Health
Our researchers are leading globally recognised research projects focussed on the key processes underpinning human diseases (including diabetes, obesity and cancers).
The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre
The Centre has a strong research base which aligns to the Health and Wellbeing strategic theme, the Cancer Biology, Immunology and Therapeutics theme and the Biosciences subject area here at NTU.
Integrative Neurophysiology
Our Integrative Neurophysiology research team lead investigations into different areas of neuroscience, including neurodegeneration, neuropathy and pain, neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance and metabolism, and neurodevelopmental disease.