Available Services

In this section, you may browse through all services available across all National Facilities. Use the filter function to filter services by National Facility, Infrastructural Unit or category of service.  In addition, you may use the text search function to search across services using key words. Please note the system will search your chosen key word either in the service title or description.

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NATIONAL FACILITY FOR LIGHT IMAGING – IU1 – Imaging

Zeiss LSM 980 NLO confocal microscope with multiphoton excitation

Point-scanning confocal microscope with multiphoton excitation and Airyscan2 detector, 5 laser lines (405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 594 nm, and 639 nm), multiphoton excitation with a tunable Ti:Sa laser (700 nm – 1300 nm) and a fixed (1040 nm) laser line, 6 non-descanned detectors (4 PMT and 2 BiG), epifluorescence excitation and sCMOS camera.

NATIONAL FACILITY FOR LIGHT IMAGING – IU1 – Imaging

Zeiss LSM 980 confocal microscope

Point-scanning confocal microscope with Airyscan2 detector, 5 laser lines (405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 594 nm, and 639 nm), sample finder, epifluorescence excitation and sCMOS camera.

NATIONAL FACILITY FOR LIGHT IMAGING – IU1 – Imaging

Zeiss Lattice Lightsheet

Lattice lightsheet with 3 lasers (488 nm, 561 nm, and 640 nm) and dual cameras.

NATIONAL FACILITY FOR LIGHT IMAGING – IU1 – Imaging

Zeiss Elyra7 super resolution microscope

Lattice structured illumination and localization microscope with 4 laser lines (405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, and 638 nm), dual sCMOS cameras, TIRF, PALM, and STORM modules

NATIONAL FACILITY FOR LIGHT IMAGING – IU1 – Imaging

Zeiss AxioZoom V16

Binocular microscope with motorized stage and focus for large FOV acquisition, back-illuminated sCMOS camera and Apotome module.

NATIONAL FACILITY FOR LIGHT IMAGING – IU1 – Imaging

Zeiss Axioscope 5

Manual, upright wide-field microscope with LED epifluorescence illuminator and monochrome sCMOS camera, condenser for phase and darkfield imaging.

NATIONAL FACILITY FOR LIGHT IMAGING – IU2 – Tissue Processing

Zeiss Axioscan Z.1 automated slide scanner

Automated slide scanner with color and monochrome cameras, LED epifluorescence illuminator with 7 LEDs (385 nm, 430 nm, 475 nm, 555 nm, 590 nm, 630 nm, and 735 nm), 6 objectives (2.5x/0.12, 5x/025, 10x/0.45, 20x/0.45, 20x/0.8, and 40x/0.95).

NATIONAL FACILITY FOR GENOMICS – Genomics Analysis

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is a robust methodology utilized in genomics research, personalized medicine, and clinical diagnostics. It entails determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome, providing understanding of genetic makeup and insights into genetic variations, evolutionary patterns, and disease mechanisms. WGS comprises: DNA extraction, library preparation involving fragmentation of DNA and addition of adapters, and sequencing using next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms.

Bioinformatic analysis of WGS data involves assembling sequencing reads to reconstruct the genome sequence, annotating the genome, and calling variants to pinpoint differences between the sequenced genome and a reference. Illumina DNA PCR-Free library preparation protocol combines on-bead tagmentation and PCR-free chemistry. This approach ensures uniform coverage across the genome and is suitable for human WGS, de novo assembly of microbial genomes, and tumor–normal variant calling.

NATIONAL FACILITY FOR GENOMICS – Genomics Analysis

Whole Exome Sequencing (WES)

Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) is a targeted approach focusing on the protein-coding regions of the genome (around 1-2%). The exome encompasses a significant portion of known disease-causing mutations, it is an affordable choice for various genetic studies where focusing on protein-coding regions suffices for research or clinical objectives.

WES begins with DNA extraction, followed by library preparation involving fragmenting DNA and adding adapters. Next is exome capture, where target-specific probes enrich DNA fragments corresponding to exonic regions, the prepared exome library undergoes high-throughput sequencing.

Bioinformatic analysis includes aligning reads to a reference genome and identifying genetic variants within exonic regions, such as single nucleotide variants (SNVs), insertions, deletions, and structural variations. In the NF Genomics protocol, TWIST Comprehensive Exome Panel is utilized, covering over 99% of protein-coding genes, with a design size of 41.2 Mb and targeting a total of 36.8 Mb, including an expanded content of RefSeq and GENCODE databases.

NATIONAL FACILITY FOR STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY – IU1 – Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Volume Electron Microscopy

This service is designed to cover imaging on large volumes and includes sample preparation by either high-pressure freezing or chemical fixation, freeze substitution, resin embedding, section preparation by ultramicrotomy and S\TEM imaging at 300kV. The User can provide specimen already fixed, stained, embedded as well as already sectioned and made ready for EM acquisition. A maximum of 1 specimen can be processed per unit of service, and 4 samples maximum (i.e., replicates) can be prepared per specimen. High-pressure freezing will be performed on a Leica EM ICE. Freeze substitution will be performed on a Leica AFS2, and a User might specify a substitution protocol of preference, which will be utilized if compatible with Facility practices. Similarly, for chemical fixation, the User is allowed to specify their protocol of preference, which will be adopted if compatible with Facility practices. For resin-embedding, the User could provide a resin of preference, or alternatively, the currently available resin be used. Sections of resin-embedded sample will be prepared on Leica UC7. A maximum of 1 resin-embedded sample can be processed for unit of service, to be sectioned in ribbons, and to be applied to a maximum of 4 TEM support grids. User might specify thickness of final sections, and these recommendations will be followed if compatible with the Facility practices. User might provide TEM grid support of preference, otherwise the currently available grid support will be used. Imaging will be performed an a Thermo Scientific Spectra 300 kV either in TEM, equipped with CETA 2 camera, or STEM mode in BF\DF\HAADF. Imaging conditions, if requested by the Usermust be compatible with Facility practices. Microscope access is granted for a maximum of 5 days per unit of service, including all steps from sample loading to alignments and collection, and according to Facility Staff availability. All steps of this service will only be performed by Facility Staff. To maximise efficient use and access to high-end TEM instruments, priority will be given to applicants specifically requesting parts of this service (e.g. only sectioning, or only S\TEM imaging of already prepared sections).

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