Missions
The Laboratories, part of the PNP, provides infrastructure, specific equipment and qualified support to facilitate research in neuroscience.
The facility is structured in three dedicated areas – Histology, Molecular Biology and Cell Culture – designed to prepare, process and analyze samples essentially derived from animal models, tissues or cell lines for research and development purposes.
Services
Equipment and space provision
- The PNP Labs provides workspaces, basic essential tools and shared equipment. Access to equipment requires technical training and online reservation.
- Details of equipment available are described below.
Genotyping
- The PNP team offers a genotyping service provision.
- The method uses PCR-based genotyping from ear biopsies combined with automated high-resolution capillary electrophoresis for gene analyses.
Support in histology
- The PNP team is available for collaboration to support your projects.
- Support provided depends on the resources available. Do not hesitate to contact us for further questions at pnp@fcbg.ch.
Research area / facilities
Working in the facility
Access Request
Similarly to the animal facility, an access request is required to get initial safety guidelines and technical trainings. Only trained users can get the access.
- New users: access is granted upon request after completing the required trainings.
- Users may host visitors with prior approval from the Head of the Platform. Users are responsible for ensuring that visitors respect the guidelines.
- For more information, please contact us at pnp@fcbg.ch.
Please refer to the « Resources » tab to find the schedule for the next PNP introduction.
Booking equipment
The facility uses the same online booking system to book main equipment or workspace.
It is important to keep the reservations up-to-date for availability and invoicing purposes.
Register as new local user on: https://campusbiotech.calpendo.com/#calendar
Policies and guidelines
Since the space is shared with multiple entities, general guidelines have been implemented to describe the provided services and equipment, as well as the responsibilities and best practices to be followed on the platform.
These guidelines are provided after completion of the required introduction.
Histology
Sample preparation
Depending on the type of tissues and analyses needed, the following technics and equipement are available:
Preparation for cryosectionning
- Freezing: The Snapfrost is an equipment designed for sample freezing using isopentane. This automated system enables ultra-fast and uniform freezing of all types of tissues, preserving structural integrity and ensuring reproducibility.
- Sectionning: Cryostats are used for the preparation of cryosections from frozen tissues within a cryogenic chamber to preserve sample integrity.
Preparation for paraffin
- Inclusion: An automate is available to prepare the tissue for inclusion before embedding in paraffin.
- Embedding: An embedding station is available to prepare the sample for cutting.
- Sectionning: Microtome is used for the preparation of thin slices from fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues.
Sample processing
For the processing of the samples, the PNP is equipped for:
Staining
- Workbenches and chemical hoods are available for manual histological staining and immunostaining.
- Multistainer is an automated slide stainer with a coverslipper integrated to the workstation for the staining and coverslipping of several slides.
Basic needs in microscopy
- Binocular microscope for basic and versatile needs.
- Epifluorescence microscope for brightfield and epifluorescent imaging.
Molecular Biology
Pre-PCR Area
The Pre-PCR area is designated to the preparation and extraction of DNA or RNA samples. Dedicated workbenches and equipment are available to minimize sample contamination, which can interfere during amplification.
Equipement available:
- Chemical hood
- Thermoblocks
- Centrifuges
- Dedicated sets of pipettes
- QIAcube, for automated purification of samples
- Denovix DS-11, for quantitative spectrophotometry or fluorometry
Post-PCR Area
The Post-PCR area is separated from the Pre-PCR area and designated to the amplification of the prepared samples and their analyses.
Equipment available:
- Thermocyclers for PCR amplification
- QuantStudio 6 Flex, for quantitative PCR analyses
- QIAgility , for automated PCR preparation and liquid dispenser system
- QIAxcel, for automated samples analyses by electrophoresis
- ImageQuant LAS500, for chemiluminescent western blot imaging
Cell Culture
Culture in sterile conditions
The PNP include a Cell Culture facility to cover P1 needs.
New projects must be submitted prior experiments to accomodate specific needs.
Equipment available:
- Three Class II Biosafety cabinets (BioWizard SL-130 Blue Series) are providing sterile environement to manipulate cell cultures.
- Biosafety cabinets are assignated to research groups according to the needs and use of the facility to avoid cross contamination.
- New projects must be submitted prior experiments to accomodate specific needs.
Maintenance of cell lines
The facility includes basic equipment for the maintenance and analyses of cell lines.
Equipment available:
- Incubators, assigned to research groups
- Inverted microscope (Leica DM IL)
- Cell Counter (ThermoFisher, Countess 3)
- Basic equipment dedicated to the cell culture space such as bead bath, water bath, centrifuges, pH meter, pipettes …