The Bioanalytical Suite enables users to analyze and characterize biomolecules using a variety of techniques.
Super Resolution and Single Molecule Microscopy
Staff Contact: Behzad Rad
The Biological Nanostructures Facility (BNF) hosts a state-of-the-art Zeiss Elyra7 microscope for high resolution optical microscopy equipped with 4 high power continuos wave lasers (405, 488, 561, and 644 nm). The microscope can image in two different modes allowing users to acquire multi-color images on two sCMOS cameras below the diffraction limit. Using Lattice Structured Illumination, the ELYRA7 can image with 2-fold increased resolution at >200 frames per second as well as acquire z-stacks in leap-mode to allow for three-dimensional imaging. The micrsocope can also acquire images using total internal reflection (TIRF) or highly inclined thin illumination (HiLO), allowing for fluorophore localization as low as 10 nm using single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). The BNF also offers fluidic channels, surface chemistry, and biological probes for single molecule analysis of biomolecules.
Correlative Biological Imaging
Staff Contact: Behzad Rad & Corie Ralston
The co-location of multiple microscopes in the Molecular Foundry and NCEM allows for users to correlate samples between imaging modes. Optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and electron microscopy can be combined for high resolution, multi-modal characterization of biological materials. This workflow requires discussion with staff in order to coordinate the key instruments and develop a proposal for two facilities to be designated as Co-lead.
Additional Analysis and Characterization Tools
Staff Contact: Behzad Rad
A mass-selective purification system, a Jasco circular dichroism (CD) spectrapolarimeter, a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC), UV-vis spectrophotometer, optical microscopes and two multi-well plate readers.
Malvern Zetasizer Nano-ZS
Staff Contact: Behzad Rad
This instrument performs Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis. This single system provides information on particle size, molecular weight, and zetapotential.
Biomolecular Interaction Characterization Instrument Suite
Staff Contact: Behzad Rad & Michael Connolly
A suite of instruments for the characterization of biomolecular interactions is avalable. These include a Bruker Sierra SPR-24 Pro high throughput surface plasmon resonance (SPR), an Iris Kinetics MX-100 interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (IRIS) instrument, and an M2 Automation iTwo 300P nanospotting robot and multi-channel AxiReader F array imager for the preparation and characterization of custom microarrays.
Bruker Surface Plasmon Resonance
Staff Contact: Behzad Rad & Michael Connolly
This instrument is used to characterize interactions between two biomolecules, such as binding between antibodies and antigens.
Microbial Electrochemistry Suite
Staff Contact: Behzad Rad & Corie Ralston
The bioelectrochemical suite contains an Agilent HPLC system for spent media analysis, two Bio-Logic VSP300 6-channels potentiostats, a Bio-Logic VSP3000 16-channel potentiostat, and a CH Instruments Model 1000B 8-channel potentiostat. This instrumentation is geared for electrochemical analysis (cyclic voltammetry, controlled potential coulometry, differential pulse voltammetry) of intact microbes and individual proteins.
Additional Biomolecule Manipulation Tools
Staff Contact: Behzad Rad & Corie Ralston
The Facility is equipped with a variety of tools to aid in work with biomolecules, microbes, molecular biology techniques and cell culture. These tools include: an anaerobic chamber, a Beckman ultracentrifuge and other regular centrifuges, 4 biosafety cabinets, limited access to flow cytometer core facility, an AKTA FPLC, microbial and tissue culture incubators, refrigerators and freezers, and gel electrophoresis equipment.
