A wide spectrum of techniques such as protein purification and analysis with gel electrophoresis, spectro-, fluoro- and luminometry and multiplex analysis can be carried out in the PROTEIN CORE FACILTY.

The following equipment and techniques are available:

• Ultrasonic homogenisation
• Bio-plex® multiplex system
• ELISA
• Gel electrophoresis and Western blot equipment
• Protein quantification
• Odyssey® imaging system
• Microplate readers (UV/VIS, fluorescence or luminescence) 

THE HISTOLOGY CORE FACILITY is equipped to perform all possible techniques in cryo-histology and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) histology. A broad spectrum of histopathological, immunohistological and fluorescence staining techniques is available. THE HISTOLOGY CORE FACILITY consists of two rooms containing four independent staining stations with the following equipment:

• Cryostat microtome for cryo-sectioning
• Microtomes for FFPE-sectioning
• Embedding workstation
• Benchtop tissue processor
• CytospinTM centrifuges
• Precision waterbath
• Shakers
• Refrigerated centrifuge
• Microscopes with computer-assisted evaluation software
• Freezers (-80°C and -20°C) and refrigerators

Scientists can carry out research at the DNA and RNA levels in the MOLECULAR BIOLOGY CORE FACILITY. In this facility, the isolation, purification and quantification of nucleic acids can be carried out. Gene expression can be analysed with conventional and Real-Time quantitative PCR (TaqMan and SYBR Green). Finally when required, the PCR product can be visualized with gel electrophoresis and analysed with a gel-documentation system.

The main equipment in the facility is listed below:

• MasterCycler Gradient (conventional PCR)
• LightCycler® Real-Time quantitative PCR machine (capillary platform)
• StepOnePlusTM Real-Time quantitative PCR machine (96–Well platform)
• Gel-Pro Analyser

In THE IMMUNOLOGY CORE FACILITY, we investigate immunological processes in in vitro and ex vivo settings using human and murine materials (whole blood, PBMCs, splenocytes and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes).

The following methods are available in the facility:

• Immunophenotyping (the subgroups of T- and B-cells, NK cells, DCs, MDSCs and macrophages with characterization of their activation and memory status if applicable)
• Intracellular cytokine/chemokine quantitation
• CD8- and NK-mediated cytotoxicity
• Proliferation analysis

In the IMMUNOLOGY CORE FACILITY, we have the following FACS machines:

• FACS Calibur (2 lasers, 4 colours, 6 parameters)
• FACS Fortessa (5 lasers, 18 colours, 20 parameters)

THE CELL CULTURE CORE FACILITY supports research that requires in vitro experiments in the Department of Surgical Research. This Core Facility has permissions for working at the S1 level and also at the S2 level when a project has the required approval. It consists of 6 functionally separate rooms that accommodate bacteria, murine cell, human cell line and human primary cell culture. For researchers in the department, a centralised cell line bank is available for experiments. There is also a centralised list of protocols available, which gives researchers access to expertise in cell isolation, culture and characterisation. As part of the core facility’s quality control program, mycoplasma checks are carried out every quarter and all cell lines are authenticated once a year.

The CELL CULTURE CORE FACILITY has all equipment required for in vitro experiments, such as the following equipment:

• Laminar flows
• Incubators
• Refrigerated centrifuges
• Phase contrast and fluorescent microscopes
• NucleofactorTM System
• Liquid nitrogen storage tanks
• Magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS®)
• Microplate readers for UV/VIS and luminescence detection
• -80°C and -20°C freezers
• Refrigerators