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Department of Veterinary Medicine Research Facilities

 

Confocal Microscopy, Flow and Imaging cytometry are the laser-based, backbone technologies we utilise to produce robust quantitative outputs. The Cellular Imaging and Analysis Facility situated at the University’s Department of Veterinary Medicine offers an innovative, up to date imaging and cytometry provision to facilitate the generation of quantitative imaging and cytometry data outputs. 

What we offer

We provide a comprehensive service to university researchers and commercial clients. Services include the training and support for the use of facility equipment, full service and project runs and consultancy on quantitative imaging and flow cytometry projects. Facility staff have a broad range of expertise and are available to help you throughout your experiments.

User training for specific equipment is a routine element of the facility, enabling facility users to become autonomous users of the equipment.

Data processing is complex and can be overwhelming if you're new to Cytometry or Microscopy. The Quantitative Cell Imaging and Analysis Facility has years of combined experience to assist working through your data, or performing data analysis on your behalf.

Services

Equipment time, Training and Support

The first induction on any of the facilitiy's equipment covers safety and the basic use of the instrument and software, rather than establishing your specific experiment or addressing your first lot of samples; you will need to bring a note pad and pen or equivalent.

After you have completed the induction on a piece of equipment you will be able to book a time slot on the equipment. You will also have the option to request support for your time on the machine.

For training and use of the equipment please contact us at microscopy@vet.cam.ac.uk so that we can register you and arrange training. 

Full Fee For Service Runs for Flow Cytometry and Imaging Analyses

The facility offers a complete analytical service working for you to deliver high-quality flow cytometry and confocal imaging data, making the most of years of flow cytometry and imaging cytometry experience. We can help you plan the experiment, design your panel, titrate your antibodies, establish appropriate controls, set up the instrumentation, prepare your samples, generate data and assist with the data analysis.

To discuss any aspect of this service, please contact us at microscopy@vet.cam.ac.uk 

Project consultation

Imaging Facility staff are available for consultation for assistance for any part of your project, we can provide guidance and direction in the design of experiments and development of projects, along with help and advice for data analysis. We can also help to develop planning and generate quotes for funding applications.

Core Instruments currently available 

Zeiss LSM780 Confocal Microscope 

Axio Examiner Z1 microscope equipped with a Zeiss LSM780 scanhead. Laser Excitation: 405nm, 458nm, 488nm, 514nm, 561nm and 633nm. The Argon laser retrofitted diode control. Detectors: 2xPMTs, 1x Spectral detector (32 Channel GaAsP detector) and Transmitted light detector (T-PMT).  The workstation runs Zen confocal software with full 3D rendering, stage position/tilescan modules and spectral unmixing/online fingerprinting using the 32 channel spectral array.

CyAn ADP 9 Colour Analyser

This fluorescent flow cytometer is equipped with 405 nm, 488 nm and 642 nm solid state lasers and 11 detectors in standard configuration. Stained and fixed cells will need to be filtered using 35um nylon cell strainer mesh tubes immediately prior to acquisition. Also see the cell preparation for flow cytometry link for more information.

LSR Fortessa 18 Colour Flow Analyser

This fluorescent flow cytometer is configured with a 355 nm, 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm and 640 nm lasers and 18 detectors. Stained and fixed cells will need to be filtered using 35um nylon cell strainer mesh tubes immediately prior to acquisition. Also see the cell preparation for flow cytometry link for more information.

 

Imagestream Mark I Imaging Flow Cytometer

The Imagestream X Mark I platform is in standard 1 camera configuration, equipped with Multi-magnification (20X, 40X 60X), extended depth of field, 405 nm and 488 nm excitation, brightfield and a 785 laser for darkfield (scatter signal). Also see the cell preparation for flow cytometry link for more information.