When UCD Conway Institute opened its doors in September 2003, technological capability in genomics, transcriptomics and confocal microscopy was already fully established under the management of dedicated staff.
Over the past decade, with strategic investment in personnel, infrastructure and instrumentation as well as a client-focused approach, the UCD Conway core technology programme has grown to a comprehensive offering across a number of advanced technology platforms that is unparalleled in Ireland and compares very favourably with similar offerings in Europe.
The programme not only supports the research of the vast majority of research groups within the Institute but has established links with academics groups in Ireland and abroad. A number of successful relationships are established with companies in the clinical trials, pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. The facilities also play a key role in the education and training of researchers in advanced techniques.
“The core facilities in UCD Conway are an important distinguishing feature and give the institution a major competitive edge nationally and internationally.”
External Scientific Advisory Board (2012)
Research Question: Can we make sensitive and quantitative measurements of intracellular calcium release in transfected cells?
Our Approach: We wanted to characterise the effects of a regulator of G-protein signalling on the release of calcium from intracellular stores. For this, measurements of thrombin induced calcium release needed to be established in HEK293 cells. Importantly, calcium measurements had to be combined with the sensitive detection and selection of transfected cells.
Resulting Publication: Gegenbauer et al. Regulator of G-protein signalling 18 integrates activating and inhibitory signalling in platelets. Blood Jan 10 2012; DOI 10.1182/blood-2011-11-390369
“The flow cytometry core has been very helpful in all aspects of the project and this support has led to the successful generation of very clear and important new data.”
Dr Albert Smolenski, UCD
EU FP7 Research Infrastructure for NanoSafety: QNano
UCD Conway flow cytometry core facility is part of the transnational access component for QNano, which is dedicated to providing users from the European nanosafety community access to nanomaterials processing, characterisation and exposure assessment facilities.
Image: Winners of the 2009 Accuri Flow Cytometer Creativity Award Programme for research on a flow-cytometric method for continuous measurement of intracellular Ca2+ concentration Dr Gethin McBean, Dr Alice Vines and Dr Alfonso Blanco Fernández. Billboard, Times Square, New York
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