Trinity Cell Analysis Technologies

The state-of-the-art Trinity Cell Analysis Technologies in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology is a consolidated research technology service, incorporating world-class infrastructure and facilities.
It is led by the Director of Research Technology (Dr Barry Moran) and includes cytometry, histology, microscopy, imaging and analytical instrumentation, with associated expertise. Facilities include the Flow Cytometry Facility (led by Dr Barry Moran), the Histology Facility and Light Microscopy Facility (led by Dr Riccardo Maraspini), and the Biological Transmission Electron Microscopy [bioTEM] Facility (led by Neal Leddy). The cores are housed in custom-built laboratory space within the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, each with an experienced manager. Additional specialist technologies in the School include an in vivo fluorescence & luminescence imager (Biospace PhotonIMAGER RT), Seahorse instrumentation, Mabtech FluoroSpot and ELISpot, the Samplix Xdrop microfluidic encapsulating system, Real-Time PCR systems, sophisticated spectroscopy instruments and plate readers.

Staff:

Director of Reserach Technology: Dr Barry Moran

Microscopy and Imaging Manager: Dr Riccardo Maraspini

Flow Cytometry Manager: Dr Barry Moran

Flow Cytometry Research Assistant: Mila Miteva

Biological TEM Manager: Neal Leddy

Flow Cytometry Facility:

The Flow Cytometry Facility within the School of Biochemistry and Immunology was set up in 2005 and is located in the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI). This best-in-class facility is the busiest and best equipped flow core in Ireland, and is available to all researchers (internal/external/industry). Equipment includes one state-of-the-art cell sorter (FACSAria Fusion), an imaging cytometer (ImageStream X Mark II), two full-spectrum analysers (Cytek’s Aurora and Northern Lights), and three conventional flow cytometers (LSRFortessa, FACSCanto II, & Accuri C6).

• FACSAria Fusion (BD): a 4-laser, 18 parameter high-speed cell sorter. Capable of physically separating cells at rates up to 20,000 per second into ≤ 4 populations at once. Cells may be sorted into a number of different tubes and plates.

• ImageStream X Mk II (Cytek (previously Amnis): a 4-laser multispectral, imaging flow cytometer designed for the acquisition of up to 12 channels of cellular imagery.

• Aurora (Cytek Biosciences): a full-spectrum analyser with 4 lasers, 3 scattering channels, and 48 fluorescence channels, enabling high-speed, highly sensitive single cell analysis. Includes plate loader.

• Northern Lights (Cytek Biosciences): a full-spectrum analyser with 4 lasers, 3 scattering channels, and 48 fluorescence channels, enabling high-speed, highly sensitive single cell analysis. Includes plate loader and small particle detector.

• LSRFortessa (BD): a 4-laser cytometer, capable of analysing up to 16 fluorescence parameters at once, at acquisition rates of up to 40,000 events per second.

• FACSCanto II (BD): a 3-laser cytometer, capable of analysing up to 8 fluorescence parameters at once, at acquisition rates of up to 10,000 events per second.

• Accuri C6 (BD): a 2-laser cytometer, capable of analysing up to 4 fluorescence parameters at once, at acquisition rates of up to 10,000 events per second.

With users from over 150 research groups, both academic and industry, these are very busy technology facilities with extensive experience in many areas, particularly immunophenotyping, intracellular cytokine analysis, cell cycle and apoptosis studies. With a dedicated manager (Dr Barry Moran) and Research Assistant, training, supervision, and assistance is provided in all aspects; from experimental design through instrument set up, data acquisition and analysis. Although post-acquisition analysis is usually performed off-site, there is an Analysis PC available within the facility with FlowJo, SpectroFlo, IDEAS and Accuri C6 software.

All researchers must be trained on the cytometers before access (irrespective of experience). Training is run every 2-3 months.

Sorting services are provided whereby the prepared samples (and controls) are brought to the facility and the populations are selected and purified. Training is not required, and experimental design and assistance are provided.

Sorting services and cytometer usage is charged at an hourly rate, with prices varying for TBSI, academic, and industrial researchers.

Location and hours of operation

The Trinity Cell Analysis Technologies are located in the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinty College Dublin. The Flow Cytometry Facility is in Lab 3.16, the Microscopy and Imaging Facility is in Lab B2.48, and B2.40. The Biological TEM is in B3.XX. 

Map

Links and Resources

1. Trinity Cell Analysis Technologies https://www.tcd.ie/Biochemistry/research/facilities/

2. Microscopy and Imaging Facility Website https://www.tcd.ie/Biochemistry/research/facilities/microscopy-imaging/

3. Flow Cytometry Facility Website https://www.tcd.ie/Biochemistry/research/facilities/flow-cytometry/

4. Irish Cytometry Society Website http://www.cytometry.wix.com/ireland

Contacts