Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis

DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WE ARE OPERATING IN A RESTRICTED MODE!

COVID-19 safety rules

The BOKU Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis (BmCA) is usually visited by many Users every day. To minimize the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to keep the Core Facility open you have to follow our safety rules.

1. We are allowed to have 3 Users simultaneously working in the main lab (B01-015) and 2 Users simultaneously working in the flow cytometry lab (B01-021).
2. If you have a confirmed booking of an instrument, you are allowed to enter the Core Facility, but it is forbidden to bring any accompanying person. Also, trainings are currently limited to 1 User only.
3. An FFP2-mask is mandatory when working in the Core Facility (can be provided by the Core Facility).
4. When entering the Core Facility, always wash and disinfect your hands.
5. Always wear gloves when working in the Core Facility (can be provided by the Core Facility).
6. Always wear a lab coat (if possible use your own coat, otherwise the Core Facility will provide it).
7. If possible, keep a minimum of 2 m distance when working together in the lab.
8. You must not enter the facility when having fever or show any known symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

For all questions, please email to bmca(at)boku.ac.at!

Biomolecular analysis

A strong focus lies on the investigation and characterization of all kinds of biomolecular interactions. For that purpose, we are equipped with:

• Surface plasmon resonance spectrometer (Biacore T200, GE Healthcare)
• Biolayer interferometer (Octet RED96e, Pall)
• Isothermal titration calorimeter (PEAQ-ITC, Malvern Panalytical)

For characterization of biomolecules in terms of molecular weight, thermal stability, thermodynamics of unfolding, aggregation behaviour, size and zeta potential, the following equipment is available:

• Size-exclusion chromatography – Light scattering (OMNISEC multi-detector GPC/SEC system, Malvern Panalytical) – LAUNCHING MARCH/APRIL 2021
• Differential scanning calorimeter (PEAQ-DSC, Malvern Panalytical)
• Dynamic light scattering – cuvette mode (Zetasizer Nano ZSP with Autotitrator, Malvern Panalytical)

Cellular analysis

As our name implies, we also offer techniques for the analysis of cells or cellular components. This part is mainly covered by flow cytometry:

• Flow cytometry – analysis (CytoFLEX S, Beckman Coulter)
• Flow cytometry – cell sorting (SH800S, Sony)
• Flow cytometry – cell sorting (BC MoFlow Astrios EQ, Beckman Coulter)

Further, there is the possibility to measure size distribution and zeta potential of primarily extracellular vesicles using nano particle tracking analysis (ZetaView, particle-metrix):

• Nanoparticle tracking analysis NTA (ZetaView, particle-metrix)

Protein crystallization – LAUNCHING APRIL 2021

The new area in our Core Facility is protein X-ray crystallography. We provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for the crystallization of proteins and subsequent analysis. For that purpose, we are equipped with:

• Pipetting robot (Mosquito LCP, SPT Labtech)
• Crystal imaging hotel (Rock Imager 1000, Formulatrix)
• Stereomicroscope (SteREO Discovery.V12, Zeiss)
• Protein formulation screen builder (FORMULATOR 10, Formulatrix)

We also provide tools and equipment for crystal harvesting, freezing, storage and dry shippers for sending crystals to the synchrotron. Shipment of crystals and data collection is part of our service.