Equipment
Our core facility offers three individual service platforms. The Spatial Omics Platform allows for the detection of spatial transcriptomes using Xenium (10X Genomics) and CODEX (Akoya Biosciences). Our High-Throughput Liquid Handling Platform features a cost-effective and user-friendly automated pipeline, which includes a CyBio Well Vario (Analytik Jena), a D300e Digital Dispenser (Tecan), and a Multidrop Dispenser (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Finally, the High-Throughput Readout Platform consists of the Opera Phenix (PerkinElmer) and the Incucyte SX5 (Sartorius).
Xenium by 10X Genomics is a spatial transcriptomics platform designed for high-resolution in situ gene expression profiling. By using customized or standardized gene panels, users can visualize and quantify RNA transcripts from hundreds to several thousand genes directly within formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE), or fresh frozen tissue samples.
PhenoImager Fusion™ enables the automated application of CODEX (CO-Detection by Indexing) using standard microscopy slides. Utilizing DNA-barcoded antibodies the simultaneous detection of up to 80 proteins in both formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fresh frozen tissue samples is possible. Multiple comprehensive staining panels are available, all of which can be customized depending on the scientific project and tissue type.
The CyBio Well Vario from Analytik Jena is a modular, high-precision liquid handling system designed for automated pipetting in high-throughput screening, assay development, and sample preparation. It features several important functionalities:
- Customized automated simultaneous pipettor featuring 8 different workstations
- Capable of pipetting up to 250 µL on a platform from 96 to 1536 wells.
The D300e Digital Dispenser by Tecan is a nanoliter to microliter liquid dispenser designed for precise, non-contact dispensing of small volumes of liquids, such as drugs, reagents, and biological samples. It can dispense reagents into up to a 1536-well plate.
The multidrop dispenser is a bulk reagent dispenser designed for rapid and high-throughput liquid dispensing into 96-, 384-, and 1536-well plates. It is widely utilized in drug discovery, genomics, proteomics, ELISA, and cell culture applications.
The Opera Phenix High-Content Screening System by PerkinElmer is a state-of-the-art imaging system specifically designed for rapid, high-resolution fluorescence imaging. It allows for multi-parametric imaging of complex cellular models, including 3D spheroids, organoids, and co-culture assays. Key features of the Opera Phenix include:
- Four lasers that capture multiple fluorescence labels
- Simultaneous two-channel imaging, which reduces phototoxicity and accelerates image acquisition
- Three water immersion objectives that enhance light collection and resolution
- Ability to perform large-scale imaging in up to 384-well plates.
- AI-powered image analysis for cell segmentation, morphology analysis, and phenotypic profiling.
The Incucyte SX5 by Sartorius is a live-cell imaging and analysis system designed for real-time, automated monitoring of cell cultures within a standard incubator. This stable culture environment allows for long-term observation of cell growth, morphological changes, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Key features of the Incucyte SX5 include:
- Continuous image capture over hours, days, or weeks.
- Three fluorescence channels for multiplexed imaging.
- Simultaneous monitoring of up to six 384-well plates.
