Available to both internal and external researchers, as well as industry, the expertly-run range of facilities make an invaluable contribution to scientific output. This is exemplified by hundreds of seminal publications in high-impact journals that credit the facilities.
The Wolfson Bioimaging Facility houses a wide range of light and electron microscopes, including confocal, spinning disk, TIRF, TEM and SEM, together with a full suite of EM preparation equipment to support our basic and translational research. Specialised expertise in live cell imaging, correlative light/electron microscopy, cryo-EM and electron tomography is available to suit our partners’ needs.
High speed digital benchtop cytometers provide a platform for cell analysis and the Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter can isolate populations of interest from a wide variety of cells or other particles. Aseptically sorted cells can be cultured for downstream studies or used for nucleic acid profiling. Customised services in assay and dye optimisation help to maximize the value of research carried out with our partners. Currently the facility offers 12 parameter 4 way sorting.
Proteomics, genomics and transcriptomics facilities underpin the work of Bristol I&I. Our facilities offer a bespoke service to our research partners, integrating program design, sample analysis and data interpretation using Orbitrap™ Mass Spectrometry for whole proteome analysis and quantitative proteomics, Illumina for next generation gene sequencing and Affymatrix GeneChipâ for transcriptomics.
A commitment to the 3Rs over many years enables Bristol I&I to deliver optimal in vitro and in vivo models to support target validation and lead optimisation across inflammatory and infectious diseases. Our partnership with KWS BioTest Ltd offers true breadth and depth to study indication specific readouts and offer screening cascades for drug discovery. Our tissue bank facilitates access to a wide range of patient samples for Bristol I&I members with their partners.
Bristol houses a state of the art imaging centre with a Siemens 3 Tesla Magnetom Skyra MRI scanner, a two-room sleep laboratory and four clinical investigation suites alongside laboratory and computing facilities. This is part of a wide infrastructure facilitating UKCRC-registered clinical trials with our colleagues in the local NHS trusts, across a wide range of therapeutic areas and types of interventions. The MRC ConDuCT Hub provides a regional focus for cutting-edge research in randomised clinical trials, and DECIPHer is a UKCRC-funded collaboration between Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea, focused on developing and evaluating multi-level interventions for children and young people.
If you are interested in using any of the facilities listed above please don't hesitate to contact us.
