MoBEES

Genetic Analyzer

Beckman CEQ 8000 DNA sequencer: Simplify the process and you reduce the chance of error. That's the safeguard built into the CEQ 8000. Developed using Beckman Coulter's extensive experience in laboratory automation and leadership in capillary electrophoresis technology, the CEQ 8000 is a fully automated genetic analysis system. This system automatically fills the capillary array with a patented linear polyacrylamide (LPA) gel, denatures and loads the sample, applies the voltage program, and analyzes the data.  Software tools let you rapidly review data quality and even customize automated data assessment.

• De Novo DNA Sequencing
• Heterozygote Detection
• Confirmatory Sequencing
• Mutation Analysis
• Allele Identification
• SNP Scoring
• Microsatellite Instability
• AFLP Fingerprinting
• Gene Expression

With the CEQ 8000, you can perform virtually all genetic analysis functions with one Gel, one Array and One Software Package.

DNA Clean UP

Boreal’s electrophoretic extraction technology is proven to purify DNA and RNA from extremely low abundance and heavily inhibited samples including soils from the Atacama desert, Antarctic tundra, sea sediments, oil sands and stool. Aurora also excels at extraction of high molecular weight DNA

A revolutionary platform for nucleic acid extraction based on powerful electrophoretic purification technology.

• Unparalleled nucleic acid purity
• Recovers 10X more DNA compared to commercially available kits
• The highest yield from low abundance samples
• Extraction of intact high molecular weight DNA from 100kb – 1Mb
• Input: 5 mL of lysed or prepared sample; output: 60 uL of buffer ready for PCR, sequencing or other analysis

Workflow

The Aurora workflow includes the following steps:

1. Preparation of raw samples
2. Lysis using chemical or mechanical methods or pre-processing
3. Concentration and purification on the instrument

NanoDrop 2000
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer

The NanoDrop 2000 is a microvolume spectrophotometer for measuring DNA, RNA, and protein. Using the patented sample retention system the NanoDrop 2000 accurately measures samples as small as 0.5 µL, and reports sample concentration, purity ratios, and full spectral data. The NanoDrop 2000 is a full-spectrum UV/Vis spectrophotometer used to quantify nucleic acids, proteins, fluorescent dyes and other compounds.

Full spectral microvolume UV-Vis analysis:

• Fast measurement time of less than 5 seconds – just pipette, measure, and wipe clean
• Measure 0.5 - 2 µL DNA, RNA, and protein samples
• Software includes pre-configured methods for measuring nucleic acids, Protein A280 and colorimetric assays, and flexible customized methods
• Measure concentrations up to 15,000 ng/µl (dsDNA) - eliminating the need for dilutions
• Low-cost operation – no plates or other consumables
• Perfect for proteins with low wavelength absorbance, such as peptides at 205 nm

Bench Top Freeze Dryer

The VirTis Bench Top 3.5 Pro freeze dryer with condenser refrigeration packages of -55°C that allow users to meet the demands of both aqueous or aqueous solvent based formulations. Designed for both the occasional user and freeze drying expert the Benchtop controller simplifies freeze drying and eases system operation. One touch start-up and shut down ensure that the product and freeze dryer are protected from inadvertent operational procedures.

A graphic display provides users with at-a-glance understanding of the status of the freeze dryer and whether or not appropriate freeze drying conditions exist. The system can be hooked up to vacufuge conentrator that can hold 45 eppendorf tubes. Takes products from frozen to dried state, effectively removing <99% of moisture.  Useful for preserving biologically active products requiring long-term storage.

Gel Imaging

The Gel Doc 2000 is an easy-to-use, high-performance system that captures images in real time, allowing you to more accurately position and focus on your sample. With Bio-Rad's intuitive software, images acquired with the Gel Doc 2000 can be rapidly optimized, annotated, analyzed, and printed. Follow the onscreen steps, and get your results with only 3 clicks of the mouse. The Gel Doc 2000 system combines a compact darkroom, UV-transilluminator workstation, CCD camera, motorized zoom lens, and user-friendly Quantity One software to document and quantitate gels stained with ethidium bromide and other fluorophores.  The iris, zoom, and focus of the lens can be manipulated either onscreen within Quantity One software or by the instrument control panel.

Optimized for Easy Gel Documentation

• High-intensity epi-illumination light source
• Large 25 x 26 cm UV transilluminator (302 nm) included with each system
• Convenient sliding drawer for easy placement of gels
• Visualization of areas as small as 4 x 5 cm
• Visualization down to 0.1 ng of double-stranded
• DNA stained with ethidium bromide
• Software-controlled automatic integration to visualize faint samples
• Software-controlled molecular weight determination and concentration analysis

Also have Bio-Rad Finger printing II Software that can be used to gel image analysis.

Biolog System

MicroStation System - For rapid identification of bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi. It uses each microbe’s ability to use particular carbon sources to produce unique patterns or “fingerprint” for that microbe. The MicroPlate is placed in the reader at the appropriate time interval and analyzed via the MicroLog software. The MicroStation also allows the user to expand and create customized databases of their isolates.

The Biolog Microbial ID System can rapidly identify over 2,500 species of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeasts and fungi. These easy to use Systems provide reference laboratory quality identifications. Biolog Systems do this without the labor-intensive requirements of conventional strips or panels. There is a Biolog System for any size laboratory, from full and semi-automatic to manually read systems.

Biolog's latest generation redox chemistry enables testing and microbial identification of aerobic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in the same test panel. Gram stain and other pre-tests are no longer needed. A simple one minute setup protocol and your samples are ready to be analyzed. Our expanded GEN III database is designed to meet the needs of Biolog's broad customer base covering diverse disciplines of microbiology.

96 well plate reader

Automatic plate reader with 340-750 nm spectral range.

Thermocyclers

Biometra T3000 Thermocyclers with triple block concept and the latest in Peltier technology to achieve excellent heating and cooling rates.  T1 plus thermocycler, 2 of T1 Thermocycler and T gradient and Primus 96 plus thermocyclers. Ideal for standard as well as gradient PCR, RT-PCR, DNA duplication, and cloning.

Centrifuges

Microfuge 18: holds 24 eppendorf tubes, max 14,000rpm

Refrigerated Microcentrifuge: Hermle Z216MK holds 40 eppendorf tubes, max 14,000 rpm, 4⁰C-22⁰C.

Table top Sorvall Legend RT –with three different rotor types

• eppendorf rotor max 17,000 rpm
• B2248 max 5650rpm, can hold 2x500g
• bucket rotor, max spped 4600rpm, max load 800g

Mix Mate vortex (with PCR 96 well holder, 1.5/2.0 ml tube holder, 0.5 ml tube holder) available for DNA/protein extraction. 

Other Equipments/Features

• DNA/RNA gel rigs, Owl Separation system Model B2; all in one EasyCast gel casting system
• Bio-Rad Mini Protein gel apparatus
• Orbital Incubator Shaker, Gyromax 727, Water bath, Microwave, Incubator
• Balance, AG 204 Delta range max 210g, d=0.1mg/mg
• Fume Hood and storage cabinets for Acid and flammables
• Gel Dryer(s)  Bio-Rad Model 583
• Bio-Rad D code System, Universal mutation detection system

Services

• Consultations + Demonstration
• Custom training - DNA isolation, amplification and characterization, microsatellite, SNPs and AFLP analysis