The following instrumentation is available in the PPCC Facility on a first-come, first-served basis to trained users. Please schedule an appropriate time block using the Skedda Calendar or contact the director for further information.
The PPCC facility has three separate FPLC units (two ÄKTA pure and one ÄKTA Start) for high resolution protein separation and purification using custom protocols. A large variety of SEC, affinity, and ion exchange columns are available. Please contact us for details.
The PPCC has a Malvern MicroCal PEAQ-ITC, which is a highly sensitive, low volume isothermal titration calorimeter for the label-free in-solution study of biomolecular interactions.
Data obtained by using our ITC have supported research presented in the following publications:
Wouters et al. (2023), Fang et al. (2023), Kayastha et al. (2022), Lam et al. (2020a), Lam et al. (2020b)
The facility has a ForteBio Octet RED96 BLI instrument which allows for multi-functional, label-free, real-time analysis. It is used for rapidly measuring kinetics and affinity, and screening protein-protein and protein-small molecule interactions.
Data obtained by using our BLI have supported research presented in the following publications:
Snead et al. (2022), McGillick et al. (2021), Muthuramalingam et al. (2019)
The BioTek Synergy H1 is a modular multimode microplate reader with monochromator-based optics and filter-based optics and allows for a broad range of applications, e.g. cell based assays, biomarker assays, and kinetic assays. 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 as compared to fixed bandwidth systems.
Data obtained by using our Microplate Reader have supported research presented in the following publications:
Heydarian et al. (2023), Chen et al. (2022a), Chen et al. (2022b), Ames et al. (2020)
The facility has a Bruker Tensor II FTIR which can be used for the analysis of the conformation and structural transition of proteins. The instrument is equipped with an AquaSpec cell for transmission measurements of proteins in aqueous solutions. Also available is a BioATR for the study of interactions between soluble proteins, membrane proteins or lipids and low-molecular weight ligands.
Data obtained by using our FTIR have supported research presented in the following publication:
Hamsici et al. (2022)
We have a high pressure homogenizer unit for bacterial and yeast cell lysis. The unit can reach pressures in excess of 30,000 psi, making it appropriate for all cell types (BSL1 only).
A sonicator with two different tips, a microprobe and a 1/2 inch tip, is also available for cell lysis.
The facility provides customers with a full-featured imaging unit with the ability to visualize samples using white light, UV light, chemiluminescence, and fluorescence (available Epi-Blue: 460-490 nm excitation and Epi-Red: 625-650 nm excitation).
The PPCC has an automated cell counter that accurately counts mammalian cells and distinguishes between live and dead cells in less than 30 sec.
The PPCC has a pUNk dynamic light scattering system for assessing a protein's hydrodynamic size, size distribution, and aggregate population.
The facility has a NanoDrop spectrophotometer which can quantify protein and nucleic acid samples and obtain full spectral data using only 1-2 µL of a sample. A cuvette position is also available.
The PPCC has a Beckman Coulter, Optima L-90K ultracentrifuge for separation of particles, molecules, or cells based on their density. Two rotors are available: A fixed angle 70Ti rotor (8 x 39 mL) with a max RCF 500,000 x g and an SW50.1 swinging bucket rotor (6 x 5 mL) with a max RCF 300,000 x g.
We currently use a high-speed centrifuge for all necessary separation steps during purification.
We currently have four separate incubator/shakers available for use with general cellular growth and protein expression.
The shakers utilize a common universal orbital platform and identical flask clamps. Use is limited to available space and clamp types on any given date.
A Class II biological safety cabinet is utilized for cell culture procedures.
Two CO2 incubators with shaking platforms are available in the PPCC facility.
The Facility has an LED inverted microscope available for visualization purposes.
The facility has a Synergy water purification system available for supplying users with quality ultrapure water.
For insect cell cultures, we utilize a separate refrigerated incubator containing cell-spin containers.
