Infrastructure (CBS)
The Gene Regulation and RNA Biology groups use a wide range of techniques in the molecular and cellular sciences to study gene regulation, protein-protein interactions, protein-nucleic acid interactions, RNA biology and cell biology. These include cell culture and transfection, cell reporter assays, protein interaction studies using yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation, GST-pull down studies. Protein expression systems include bacterial, yeast, baculovirus, retrovirus and mammalian expression, and protein purification is carried out using FPLC. In vitro assays allow us to monitor posttranslational modifications such as protein phosphorylation, acetylation and SUMOylation. The Gene Regulation Group confocal microscope (Zeiss LSM 510 Meta) facilitates immunocytochemistry, time lapse imaging, FRET and FRAP. Our shared BD FacsAria instrument is used for flow cytometry applications to monitor cell cycle, apoptosis, differentiation markers and for cell sorting. Real time PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation, RNA immunoprecipitation and polysome gradients allow us to monitor gene transcription and translation. Microarray techniques are used in genome-wide studies for transcription profiling, translation profiling and ChIP-chip promoter array hybridisations to identify regulatory networks. siRNA techniques are also used to study gene function. The RNA Biology group uses a xenopus oocyte microinjection facility.
Live cell imaging/confocal microscopy
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A Zeiss LSM510 Meta laser scanning microscope.
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Real Time PCR
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A five colour Stratagene MX3005p quantitative PCR system.
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Protein Purification
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A Bio-Rad Biologic DuoFlow high-resolution chromatography instrument with PC controller.
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Flow cytometry/fluorescence activated cell sorting
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A Becton- Dickinson FACS Aria cell sorting system equipped with four lasers and an automated cell deposition unit.
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