Equipment from

Classical amino acid analysis based on ion exchange chromatography with post column derivatization with ninhydrin.This allows both qualitative and quantitative automated analysis of up to 56 amino acids and derivatives, including argininosuccinic acid, alloisoleucine and sulfocysteine within 90 minutes. Physiological system with a lithium column and lithium-based buffers.

The seahorse measures mitochondrial metabolism by recording Oxygen Consumption Rates (OCR) and ExtraCellular Acidification Rates (ECAR) in response to various stress stimuli giving a picture of overall cellular respiration. It gives us an idea of basal metabolism, maximum mitochondrial respiration and when cells start carrying out glycolysis and to what extent. The XF 24 model uses 24 well plates to measure either adherent, non adherent or isolated mitochondria. OCR and ECAR are measured in a 7ul micro- chamber in 2- 5 min intervals before mixing again. Up to four stress stimuli can be injected sequentially into each well, this is read over time to build a respiration profile for each individual chamber.

True confocal scanning microscopy uses a pinpoint light source in the form of a laser to illuminate samples, a small section at a time. A scanner then drives the laser over the sample, generating an image. Exciting samples in this way produces less out of focus light than wide-field microscopy giving higher resolution images. We have a variety of objectives and 8 visible laser lines, allowing for a wide range of samples to be imaged. Confocal microscopy gives high resolution 3D images and sequences; This system has a multiphoton laser which is capable of penetrating up to 700um deep, enabling us to look deep into tissue samples. The resonant scanner allows us to capture high speed events such as waves of molecules moving through cells.