High Content Cellular Analysis Lab

The High-Content Cellular Analysis (HiCCA) lab at Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) is a hub for automation and fluorescence applications. Directed by Dr. David Andrews, the HiCCA lab provides platforms for high-throughput and high-content investigations of in vitro model systems, and features custom-designed instrumentation and cutting-edge technologies unique to SRI.

The HiCCA lab provides the tools and expertise necessary for research programs at the level of a screen, cell or molecule. Services include high-throughput confocal and widefield microscopy, fluorescence spectrophotometry, and robotics for automated workflows. Solutions offered may be full service or else involve various degrees of collaborative effort, tailored to the needs of each specific project. User training for select instrumentation is available.

Equipment

Automated widefield microscope – EVOS FL Auto (Invitrogen)
  • 4X, 10X, 20X, 40X Long working distance air objectives
  • Light cubes with integrated filter and LED illumination for DAPI, CFP, GFP, RFP, CY5, Acridine Orange, CFP-YFP (FRET)
  • XY-automated stage with adaptors for various lab ware, including slides, flasks and plates
  • Dual monochrome CCD and colour CMOS camera
Automated widefield screening microscope – IC200 (Vala Sciences)
  • Objectives: 4X, 10X, 20X, 40X air
  • Solid-state light engine (UV-Vis-IR) and filters for DAPI, FITC, TEXASRED, CY5, CY7
  • Laser- and image-based autofocus
  • XYZ-automated stage
  • sCMOS camera
Confocal spectroscopy + imaging microscope – ALBA (ISS)
  • Objectives: 20X air, 40X oil, 60X water
  • 445, 470, 488, 514, 588, 594, 640 nm laser excitation (pulsed and CW available)
  • Nikon Eclipse Ti with XYZ-automated stage
  • Avalanche photodiode detectors
  • Environment controls for regulation of temperature and CO2
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Confocal screening microscope – Opera (PerkinElmer)
  • Objectives: 20X/40X air, 20X/40X/60X water
  • 405, 488, 531, 635 nm laser excitation, and emission filters for DAPI, CFP, GFP, RFP, DRAQ5
  • Laser-based autofocus
  • XYZ-automated stage
  • CCD cameras with simultaneous multichannel image acquisition
  • Environment controls for regulation of temperature and CO2
  • Integrated plate incubator and robotic plate handler

Spectrofluorometers – PTI Quantamaster (Horiba)
  • Fianium ultra-broadband supercontinuum pulsed excitation source (VIS-NIR)
  • Xenon arc lamp (UV-IR)
  • Automated multiposition sample holder
  • Temperature controls
Microplate readers
Microplate readers – Infinite M1000 PRO, Infinite F200 PRO, Sunrise (Tecan)

    • Multichannel excitation, emission, absorbance and 3-D scanning

    • Wavelength selection from UV to NIR and adjustable bandwidth

    • Temperature controls

    • Integrated plate stackers

Robotic workstation – SP-Workcell (Thermo)

    • Featuring Hamilton STARlet liquid handler with 96-tip and variable-span 8-tip heads

    • Integrated Thermo-CRS VAL 3-axis robot, bulk liquid dispensers, plate washers, plate sealer, plate storage

Fully enclosed under partial vacuum with HEPA air filtering for BSL2 requirements

Please contact Betty Li for more information regarding fees

  • Automated sample preparation
  • Sample storage and cell culture facility
  • Fluorescence imaging solutions
  • Custom analysis of fluorescence image data
  • Consultation for high-throughput and high-content applications

Please contact Betty Li for more information regarding services.

Mills CE, Thome C, Koff D, Andrews DW, Boreham DR. The relative biological effectiveness of low-dose mammography quality X rays in the human breast MCF-10A cell line. Radiat Res. 2015 Jan;183(1):42–51

Collins TJ, Ylanko J, Geng F Andrews DW. A versatile cell death screening assay using dye-stained cells and multivariate image analysis. Assay Drug Dev Technol. 2015 Nov;13(9):547–57.

Zhang Z, Subramaniam S, Kale J, Liao C, Huang B, Brahmbhatt H, Condon SG, Lapolla SM, Hays FA, Ding J, He F, Zhang XC, Li J, Senes A, Andrews DW, Lin J. BH3-in-groove dimerization initiates and helix 9 dimerization expands Bax pore assembly in membranes.EMBO Journal. DOI:10.15252/embj.201591552. Epub 2015 Dec 23.

Shamas-Din A, Bindner S, Zhu W, Zaltsman Y, Campbell C, Gross A, Leber B, Andrews DW, Fradin C. tBid undergoes multiple conformational changes at the membrane required for Bax activation. J Biol Chem. 2013 Jul 26;288(30):22111–27.

Liu Q, Leber B, Andrews DW. Interactions of pro-apoptotic BH3 proteins with anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins measured in live MCF-7 cells using FLIM FRET. Cell Cycle. 2012 Oct 1;11(9):3536–42.

Contact

Betty Li 416-480-6100 ext. 685484