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Instrumentation

The Biobank and Research Pathology Resource at Cedars-Sinai offers a suite of instrumentation for the research community's use. Researchers can request training from core personnel on any instrument and, after training, can reserve an instrument for self-use.

Molecular
  • Provides profiles for up to 800 mRNAs, microRNAs, or DNA targets simultaneously (capable of protein expression profiling as well)
  • Digital detection of target molecules with high levels of multiplexing
  • The system uses molecular “barcodes” and single-molecule imaging to detect and count hundreds of unique molecules in a single reaction
  • Unlike other methods, the protocol does not include any amplification steps before measurement that might introduce a bias to the results
  • Ideal for low-abundance sources, e.g., formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded blocks
  • Leica Biosystems' built-in UV-C disinfection system provides certified protection from infectious material and minimizes the risk of contamination in the cryochamber
  • Use for high-quality sectioning, user safety and efficient laboratory workflow
  • A standard sonicator that uniformly processes multiple samples (up to six)
  • Current setup accommodates 1.5ml tubes
  • For shearing chromatin, ChIP-Seq sample preparation, cell lysis and protein extraction
  • A small bead-mill homogenizer that provides fast, effective disruption of up to 12 samples at the same time
  • Used to mechanically lyse cells or homogenize tissue
  • Adaptor can be prechilled to keep samples cool
  • qPCR machine that accommodates 96- and 384-well plates
  • Five-color multiplex detection—operates with TaqMan or SYBR Green reagents
  • For RNA and miRNA expression profiling, SNP genotyping, measurements of copy number variation, generation of protein thermal shifts, high-resolution melting curves and pathogen detection
  • A UV-Vis spectrophotometer with both microvolume pedestal and macrovolume cuvette measurement options
  • Capable of measuring DNA, RNA and protein concentrations
  • An acoustic transducer that can precisely focus energy to one sample at a time
  • Current setup can process one to eight samples in a single batch
  • Computer software–directed operation allows for total control of energy input to sample with reliable reproducibility
  • Can be used with frozen and FFPE tissues (specific kits are required)
  • For DNA fragmenting, tissue homogenization, cell lysis, compound dissolution, and particle micronization
  • For fully automated sample prep (DNA, RNA, and protein) using QIAGEN spin-column kits
  • Uses advanced technology to process QIAGEN spin columns, en
  • abling seamless integration of automated, low-medium throughput sample prep into the laboratory workflow
  • No change of purification chemistry is required, assuring fast startup and immediate results
  • All steps in the purification procedure are fully automated—up to 12 samples can be processed per run
  • Provides all the advantages of the ultimate thin-layer cell preparation system
  • This reliable benchtop centrifuge provides economical thin-layer preparations from any liquid matrix, especially hypocellular fluids such as spinal fluid and urine
  • Use this centrifuge to adhere cells in suspension to glass microscope slides
  • Small and large volume cytofunnels are available
  • An easy-to-use benchtop ultracentrifuge
  • Separates samples from as small as 175μl up to 32.4ml, and at speeds up to 150,000 RPM and more than 1,000,000 x g
Imaging
ZEISS Axio Scan.Z1

Whole-slide scanned image of multiple mouse cardiac tissues (Hasan Lab).

  • High throughput whole-slide fluorescent scanning
  • Acquire up to 9 spectrally separated fluorescence channels with a single-band filter set
Aperio AT Turbo

Whole-slide scanned image and software interface.

  • A fast and versatile whole-slide scanning device
  • It can digitize up to 400 slides from a single load and export them into a file to be viewed on the end-user's computer
  • The AT Turbo is a state-of-the-art device and provides a very good image quality
  • Images acquired by means of this device can then be analyzed using Leica Image Analysis software dedicated for digital pathology
TissueGnostics TissueFAXS 200

Whole-slide scanned image of A) kidney tissue (3-color) and B) tumor tissue (5-color).

  • Provides automatic scanning of up to 200 brightfield and fluorescent slides and TMAs
  • Combined with TissueGnostics integrated high-speed camera, it provides high-throughput for slides, with speed and versatility in the top range
  • Its integrated slide label reading system digitizes barcodes and alphanumerical printed slide labels, and stores and displays high-resolution label images
  • Capable of oil immersion scanning
LaVision Light Sheet UltraMicroscope

Kidney sympathetic innervation (Tourtellotte Lab).

  • Selective plane illumination microscope for 3-D imaging
  • Equipped with a second light sheet that excites the identical specimen area from the opposed direction to improve the fluorescence homogeneity
  • The Ultramicroscope II allows in vivo imaging of cleared samples
  • All optical and mechanical components are compatible to most clearing solutions (DBE, Clarity, iDISCO) and water
  • It features 488nm, 561nm, 639nm, 750nm lasers for excitation
Leica TCS SP5 X

Representative images of 3D tumor organoid.

  • Features a fully tunable supercontinuum laser that provides excitation lines from 470 nm to 670 nm in the visible spectrum
  • Freedom to choose the specific excitation line in 1 nm increments allows optimal adjustment of the excitation to the special properties of the dye. This flexibility decreases damage to the cell and reduces unwanted cross-excitation.
  • The system offers CO2 controlled stage-top incubator for live cell imaging. The motorized stage can be used to image large samples at high resolution through stitching and tiling in 3-D
Zeiss LSM 780 Confocal with Airyscan

Multiplex image using Airyscan

  • Offers high sensitivity for demanding confocal imaging work
  • Equipped with a motorized stage, an autofocus device, and a full stage-top incubator, the 780 is the perfect microscope for high-end live cell imaging
  • The high-sensitivity 38-channel Quasar detector allows for spectral imaging, linear unmixing, and high color count (> 4) image acquisition
Leica DMi8 Fluorescence Microscope

Multiplex image from tumor tissue (5-color).

  • Capable of basic and advanced fluorescence and brightfield microscopy
  • Equipped with an incubation chamber for live cell and time-lapse imaging
  • Motorized stage allows for tiling and mark-and-find capabilities
  • Can acquire z-stacks allowing for projection image processing
  • Operates with Leica Application Suite X software capable of conducting basic image analysis and automated image capturing
Leica LMD 7000 Laser Microdissection Cell Capture System

A) brightfield slide image (before microdissection), B) brightfield slide image (after microdissection), C) fluorescence image (after microdissection).

  • Used to isolate single cells or groups of cells in a tissue to obtain homogeneous ultrapure samples from heterogeneous starting material
  • Samples can be viewed by brightfield or fluorescence microscopy
  • The instrument can capture multiple cell types sequentially from a slide and combine materials captured from multiple slides
  • The laser can also be used for retrieval of live cells
  • Users must supply their own LCM-compatible slide or culture vessel
  • A brightfield microscope with various contrast methods
  • Superior optics combined with true-color LED illumination for excellent color rendering
  • Equipped with a digital camera to capture high-quality, publication-caliber images
Quick Links

We use the iLab Solutions Online Core Management System to process all service requests.

Have Questions or Need Help?

Contact us if you have questions or would like to learn more about the Biobank and Research Pathology Resource at Cedars-Sinai.

Spielberg, Room 110
8723 W. Alden Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Histology Lab
Biospecimens