Additional lab capabilities

In addition to its advanced research platform services, the Liggins Institute laboratory offers additional research capabilities to Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland researchers. These include cell and tissue culture, protein separation (FPLC), PCR and real-time PCR, gel imaging, and various protein, DNA, and RNA quantitation devices. The lab also features extensive microscopy facilities and specialised equipment for molecular biology, providing comprehensive support for complex research projects.

The Liggins Institute lab is equipped with PCR, real time PCR (Quant Studio 6), gel imaging (ChemiDoc), and various protein, DNA, and RNA quantitation devices (Direct Detect, Agilent Bioanalyser, N60 Nanophotometer, and Qubit). In conjunction with these devices are two Epimotion pipetting robots with a variety of attachments to facilitate the addition of small quantities of reagents to 96 and 386 well PCR plates.

The laboratory has three well-equipped cell and tissue culture rooms, each with a selection of biological safety cabinets and CO2 incubators. This facility's methods include gene transfection, siRNA-mediated knockdown, and cancer cell biology. One room has a hypoxic chamber and tri-gas incubator for studying the effects of low oxygen levels on growing cells.

The Institute has extensive microscopy facilities with a range of Canon, Leica, and Zeiss simple and compound microscopes, some of which have fluorescence capabilities and most with imaging capabilities. The laboratory also has a microtome for tissue sectioning and access to a Leica cryostat for preparing both fresh and fixed frozen sections.