Inventory

Explore the Tools Behind the Science

From sample storage to advanced sequencing, here's a quick look at the essential equipment and spaces supporting research in our genomics lab.

Different freezers are designed to maintain specific temperature ranges to ensure the integrity and longevity of stored materials. Here's a brief overview of sample storage freezers at our lab.

4-Degree Celsius Freezer:

Purpose: Used for short-term storage of biological samples, enzymes, and other temperature-sensitive reagents.

Applications: Commonly utilized in laboratories for storing materials that do not require ultra-low temperatures.

-20-Degree Celsius Freezer:

Purpose: Suitable for mid-term storage of biological samples, enzymes, and certain chemicals.

Applications: Widely used for storing DNA, RNA, proteins, and other biological samples for research, diagnostics, and medical purposes.

-80-Degree Celsius Freezer:

Purpose: Designed for long-term storage of highly sensitive biological samples, including cells, tissues, and certain reagents.

Applications: Essential for biobanking, pharmaceutical research, and storing valuable biological materials for an extended period, often used in studies requiring cryopreservation.

A bead homogenizer is a laboratory instrument designed for the mechanical disruption or homogenization of biological samples, tissues, or other materials using beads as the grinding or lysing medium. This device is particularly useful in molecular biology, biochemistry, and related fields where the extraction of cellular components or biomolecules is required.

Bead homogenizers are widely used for DNA, RNA, and protein extraction, as well as for homogenizing tissues, cells, and microbial samples. They are valuable tools in processes such as nucleic acid isolation, protein extraction, and sample preparation for downstream applications like PCR, qPCR, or Western blotting.

A tissue culture room in a laboratory is a specialized and controlled environment designed for the cultivation and maintenance of cells, tissues, and sometimes whole organs in vitro.

Sterile Environment: Tissue culture rooms are maintained under strict sterile conditions to prevent contamination of cell cultures. The air in this rooms is filtered, and researchers follow aseptic techniques to ensure the integrity of the cell lines being cultured.

Laminar Flow Hoods: Laminar flow hoods or biological safety cabinets are essential components of tissue culture rooms. These hoods provide a sterile working environment, protecting both the researcher and the cultured cells from external contaminants.

Equipment: Tissue culture rooms are equipped with specialized instruments and equipment, including microscopes, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers, and incubators. These instruments support various aspects of cell culture, from routine maintenance to experimental procedures.

Dedicated Workstations: We have dedicated workstations within the tissue culture room for tasks such as cell seeding, passaging, and experimentation. Each workstation is equipped with the necessary supplies and equipment for specific cell culture procedures

*Stay tuned for images of the tissue lab once the setup is complete!

Equipped with HEPA filters, laminar air flow prevents contamination during delicate tasks like DNA/RNA extraction, PCR setup, and cell culture work. The hood's controlled airflow ensures the integrity of genetic material by minimizing the introduction of airborne particles. In PCR, the laminar flow hood's aseptic conditions prevent cross-contamination between samples, ensuring accurate results. Additionally, during molecular cloning and DNA sequencing, the laminar flow hood contributes to the precision of these processes. Researchers follow stringent protective measures, including gloves and lab coats, further enhancing the reliability of genomic research outcomes.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) are pivotal techniques in genomics labs, revolutionizing the study of genetic material. PCR, a cornerstone of molecular biology, facilitates the exponential amplification of specific DNA segments. Its repetitive cycles of denaturation, annealing, and extension enable tasks such as DNA cloning, sequencing, and mutation detection. In our genomics, PCR is instrumental in gene expression studies, genotyping, and forensic analysis.

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) expands PCR's capabilities by enabling real-time monitoring and quantification of DNA amplification. Utilizing fluorescent dyes or probes, qPCR provides researchers with precise quantitative data during the amplification process. This real-time aspect is invaluable in applications like gene expression analysis, quantifying RNA or DNA targets, and identifying the abundance of specific sequences. In genomics labs, qPCR is indispensable for exploring gene regulation, discovering biomarkers, and supporting diagnostic endeavors.

Together, PCR and qPCR form the backbone of genomics research, empowering scientists to unravel the complexities of genetic information.

*This procedure is also used at Canadore Genomics Research Hub

The QuantStudio 5, a cutting-edge real-time PCR system by Thermo Fisher Scientific, offers advanced capabilities for precise nucleic acid analysis. Tailored for real-time PCR applications, it facilitates the monitoring of DNA amplification in real time, which is essential for gene expression studies, genotyping, and quantitative analyses. Supporting both 96-well and 384-well plates, the system provides versatility and high throughput, accommodating diverse experimental designs. The QuantStudio 5 boasts user-friendly software, streamlining experiment setup and data analysis. Its compatibility with TaqMan assays, a widely adopted method for nucleic acid detection, further enhances its utility in genomics research. Incorporating advanced optical calibration ensures accuracy and reproducibility, which is critical for obtaining reliable results.

A PCR Prep Station Room is a specialized area within a laboratory dedicated to preparing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) experiments meticulously. Engineered to maintain a sterile environment, this room is equipped with essential tools, including laminar flow hoods or PCR workstations, ensuring a clean workspace with filtered air. Researchers utilize dedicated pipetting instruments calibrated for PCR setup to prevent cross-contamination and safety measures such as personal protective equipment are strictly adhered to. The room's design also includes features like UV lights on PCR workstations to decontaminate surfaces. With organized areas for PCR reagents, primers, and templates, the PCR Prep Station Room enhances precision, minimizes errors, and contributes to the reliability of PCR results by mitigating the risk of contamination during the pre-PCR process. .

The EpMotion, automated liquid handling system by Eppendorf, is a game-changer in genomics labs, automating intricate liquid handling tasks with precision and efficiency. Tailored for diverse genomics applications, including PCR setup, DNA/RNA extraction, and library preparation, EpMotion's customizable workflows adapt to specific research needs. Its high-throughput design efficiently processes large sample volumes, proving invaluable in genomics labs with significant workloads. The system's advanced liquid handling technology ensures exceptional precision and reproducibility, critical for reliable genomic data. With support for various labware formats and volumes, EpMotion offers flexibility to accommodate different experimental designs. Enhanced by sample tracking and traceability features, this automated system not only minimizes human error but also reduces hands-on time, allowing researchers to focus on the complex aspects of genomics research, ultimately optimizing workflows and contributing to the efficiency of genomic studies.

The Qubit fluorometer, developed by Thermo Fisher Scientific, is a vital instrument in genomics labs, offering precise quantification of nucleic acids and proteins. Known for its high sensitivity, it accurately measures low concentrations of DNA, RNA, and proteins, making it indispensable for researchers working with limited or precious samples. The system's broad dynamic range allows for the accurate quantification of a wide concentration spectrum, catering to diverse applications in genomics research. Utilizing specific assays for DNA, RNA, and proteins, the Qubit system ensures targeted and reliable quantification within each biomolecule category. With its user-friendly interface, straightforward protocols, and minimal hands-on time, the Qubit fluorometer is accessible to researchers of varying expertise levels in molecular biology.

The Bioanalyzer, developed by Agilent Technologies, is a key instrument in genomics labs, specializing in the precise analysis and quality assessment of nucleic acids. Employing microfluidic technology automates DNA and RNA sizing, quantification, and integrity assessment. The Bioanalyzer delivers high-resolution electropherograms, enabling researchers to visualize and quantify nucleic acids with exceptional precision. It is widely used for quality control in genomics workflows and is pivotal in next-generation sequencing library preparation, RNA-seq, and DNA fragment analysis. The automated nature of the Bioanalyzer ensures reproducibility, reducing variability across experiments. With user-friendly software facilitating data analysis, the Bioanalyzer caters to researchers of diverse molecular biology expertise.

Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) has revolutionized genomics research with its pioneering DNA sequencing technology. At the forefront is the MinION sequencer, utilizing nanopore sequencing, a unique approach where DNA passes through nanopores, enabling real-time monitoring of base sequences. This technology stands out for its capacity to produce long sequencing reads, facilitating improved genome assembly and the detection of complex genomic features.

A distinctive feature of ONT's sequencing technology is its portability, exemplified by the MinION, which allows for on-site and field applications. Aside from the MinION, our lab also contains the GridION and PromthION, which are benchtop sequencers capable of running multiple samples at once for larger-scale projects.

Illumina sequencing platforms, the MiniSeq and MiSeq, are cornerstones in genomics research and laboratories. The MiniSeq, a compact benchtop sequencer, excels in smaller-scale projects, providing cost-effective and rapid results. It is widely employed in applications such as targeted gene sequencing and amplicon studies.

The MiSeq is for larger-scale projects and has a higher max read length. Both platforms are pivotal in genomics research, enabling essential applications, including whole-genome sequencing, exome sequencing, RNA-Seq, and targeted sequencing. Their flexibility caters to projects of varying scales, with the MiniSeq being suitable for smaller labs, while the MiSeq handles larger-scale studies. These Illumina sequencers, known for accuracy and scalability, significantly contribute to advancing genomics research by providing efficient, high-throughput solutions for a broad range of applications.

Illumina Sequencing Platforms

BioTek Synergy H1 is a modular multimode microplate reader, with monochromator-based optics and filter-based optics. The patented Hybrid Technology offers flexibility and sensitivity across a broad range of applications. The modular platform allows upgrading to expand functionality as your laboratory workflows change.

Synergy H1 offers continuously variable bandwidth monochromators for fluorescence excitation and emission wavelength selection. Fluorescence bandwidth can be set between 9 and 50 nm, in 1 nm increments, allowing users to fully optimize reader settings to drive the best assay performance compared to fixed bandwidth systems.