Structural and functional studies on cells, also in real time.
The laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge instrumentation for cell dissociation, isolation and study of nucleic acids and proteins from different types of biological samples (e.g. blood, cells, tissues, saliva etc).
Researchers can perform single-cell tissue dissociation preserving epitopes with the GentleMACS, isolate circulating tumour cells using the Parsortix PR1 (Angle), quantify RNA/DNA with the Nanodrop (Thermofisher) and subsequently evaluate transcript expression using the QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems) or study rare variants or perform absolute quantifications using the QuantStudio 3D Digital PCR System (Applied Biosystems), perform protein extractions and electrophoretic separations using SDS-PAGE or Western Blotting and acquisitions using Chemidoc XRS (Bio-Rad).
The laboratory studies the cell both from a morphological point of view through structural study (e.g. nucleus, organelles, ribosomes) and through the study of functional activities (e.g. cell cycle and death).
The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation to carry out multiple research activities in the cellular field: from the culture of immortalised and primary cells in 2D to the culture of organoids and spheroids in 3D, both in normoxia and hypoxia.
Real-time monitoring of experiments can be performed on cells, organoids and spheroids directly in culture using the Incucyte S3 platform.