The Biophysical Technology Center offers training and instrument usage for optical spectroscopy and EPR. In addition to training users to independently use our instrumentation, we also offer assistance with experimental design and data analysis for EPR and fluorescent biosensor projects.
Optical Spectroscopy:
- Agilent-Cary Eclipse Fluorescence Spectrophotometer for acquiring fluorescence spectra in the 190-900nm wavelengths. Includes temperature and stirring control.
- Optical Box for Time-correlated single photon counting or direct waveform recording. Built in house, and working closely with Fluorescence Innovations, Inc, we can acquire high resolution fluorescence decays using a range of pulsed lasers (355, 405, 485 and 532nm). Useful for monitoring FRET-based distance distributions between fluorescent probes.
- Transient-Time resolved FRET. Stopped-flow kinetic (sub ms) measurement of fluorescence decays using pulsed lasers (355, 405, 475 or 523 nm). Detection using direct waveform recording. Great for monitoring rapid structural transitions or binding.
- Bottom-read Fluorescence Lifetime Plate reader (FLTPR). Measure fluorescence lifetime from acquired fluorescence decays of samples in microplate format (96 and 384 well plates), using pulsed lasers (355, 473 and 532nm). Detection using direct waveform recording, and designed in collaboration with Fluorescence Innovations, Inc.
- Jasco J-815 Spectropolarimeter (CD) is designed to acquire circular dichroism spectra in the UV/Vis region with 6 cuvette holders and temperature control. Most often used for monitoring secondary structure and melting curves.
- Molecular Devices Spectramax Gemini EM Microplate Fluorometer, with 250-850nm excitation and 360-850nm emission ranges of samples in microplates (6-384 well compatible). Additional features include a shaker and temperature control.
- Molecular Devices Spectramax 384Plus Absorbance Microplate Reader for absorbance measurements in the 190-1000nm wavelength range of samples in microplates (24-384 wells). Additional features include a shaker and temperature control. Often used for absorbance-based assays (BCA, ATPase assays, ELISA, etc).
- Time-resolved Phosphometer. Designed in house, we can measure transient phosphorescence anisotropy in the range of 0.1-10ms.
- Applied Photophysics SX.18MV stopped-flow spectrophotometer. Stopped-flow kinetic (sub ms) measurement of absorbance and fluorescence. Great for measuring rapid structural transitions.
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy:
- Bruker EleXsys E500 CW X-band EPR Spectrometer.
- Bruker EleXsys E580 Pulsed EPR Spectrometer.
- Bruker EleXsys E500 CW low-temperature EPR Spectrometer.
Liquid dispensers:
- Thermo non-contact Multidrop Combi. Precise and rapid dispensing of 0.5 to 2500μL dispense volume range to microplates (96-1536 well compatibility).
- PE non-contact FlexDrop IQ. 8 nL to mL dispense volume range to microplates (96-1536 well compatibility), with < 1 µL dead volume.