The Institute maintains a variety of instruments for general use by all investigators. These include irradiators, several imaging systems, and real-time PCR instruments.
3 Bio-Rad iCyclers for quantitative, real-time PCR are located throughout the institute, as are 2 Storm Imagers and a Bio-Rad FX Pro Fluorescent Imager, ideal for imaging and quantitating radioactive or fluorescent samples, respectively.
Our latest addition, the Xenogen IVIS® Imaging System, makes it possible to visualize light signals in real time, within live animal models. The system uses back-thinned, cryogenically cooled CCD cameras to provide high-efficiency photon detection, particularly in the red region of the spectrum where tissue transparency is highest, and a high signal-to-noise ratio for maximum sensitivity. The systems can detect very small numbers of photons and operate as a traditional camera. Researchers can view an entire animal or focus on one portion for added detail. Both bioluminescent and fluorescent imaging capabilities are available. The system uses the Living Image software developed by Xenogen for analysis and quantification.