Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis (BmCA)

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU)

Wien | Website

Open for Collaboration

Short Description

The Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis (BmCA) offers state-of-the-art instruments and techniques for characterization of biomolecules and/or biomolecular interactions. Another focus lies on the analysis and sorting of cells and cellular components by flowcytometry. Additionally, the lab is equipped with high-end instrumentation for protein crystallography do determine 3D structures of proteins and protein-ligand complexes.

Contact Person

Irene Schaffner PhD, Elisabeth Laurent PhD, Georg Schütz PhD, Karin Kohlweiss BSc, Jakob Wallner BSc

Research Services

• Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) /Biolayer interferometry/Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC):
- Biacore T200
- Octet RED96e
- PEAQ ITC Automated
binding/interaction between biomolecules: proteins, small molecules, oligonucleotides, carbohydrates, lipids, etc.
affinity – kinetics – specificity – concentration

• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC):
- PEAQ DSC Automated
thermal stability of proteins and other biomolecules
Tm values – thermodynamics of the denaturation process

• Combination of Light Scattering (LS), UV- and Refractive Index (RI) detection with Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC):
- OMNISEC multi-detector GPC/SEC system
molecular weights, concentration, oligomeric state of proteins and protein complexes
purity of a sample

• Protein purification:
- AEKTA go liquid chromatography system
preparative purification of proteins on a laboratory scale
final polishing step of protein samples

• Dynamic light scattering:
- Zetasizer Nano ZSP
particle size (0.3 nm - 10 µm) – zeta potential – aggregation behavior – molecular weight (lower limit approx. 1000 Da) –
charge/isoelectric point (pI) – second virial coefficient – diffusion interaction parameter (kD)

• Flowcytometry:
- CytoFLEX S: 405 nm laser – 488 nm laser – 638 nm laser – 561 nm laser – violet side scatter resolution <0.2 µm

• Fluorescence activated cell sorting:
- Sony Sorter SH800S: easy-to-use and chip-based cell sorting system – 405 nm laser – 488 nm laser – 638 nm laser – 561 nm laser
- MoFlow Astrios EQ: high-speed cell sorting – 405 nm laser – 488 nm laser – 638 nm laser – 561 nm laser – 355 nm UV-laser – 6-way sorting – plate loader from 6 to 1536-well plate

• Protein crystallography:
- pipetting robot mosquito® LCP
- Automated protein crystallography monitoring system Rock Imager 1000
- microscope SteREO Discovery.V12

Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure

The Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis (BmCA) is a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory with focus on biomolecular characterization and characterization of biomolecular interactions, protein crystallography as well as flowcytometry. Beside high-end instrumentation, we offer the possibility to prepare your samples in the most optimal way. We have basic laboratory equipment (pipettes, multi-channel pipettes, dispenser pipettes, coolable centrifuge, vacuum filtration, analytical balances, pH electrodes of different sizes, water bath, DeNovix instrument for UV-vis absorption and fluorescence measurement etc.). Further, we offer two PC work stations which are accessible for all Core Facility users to utilize the partly licencesed special software of the various instruments.

Besides providing instruments, we offer professional training to the certain techniques as well as consultation regarding experimental setup and design. Further, it is possible to make use of our full-service, which comprises the measurements of your samples by trained staff and the generation of experimental reports.

Equipment

Terms of Use

Please contact the Core Facility via bmca@boku.ac.at