WCVM Molecular Microbiology Laboratory

The WCVM Molecular Microbiology Laboratory is located on the first floor of the WCVM Research Wing. This laboratory offers a range of techniques and specialized equipment to WCVM and University of Saskatchewan researchers.

Lab Techniques

We can help you with the following techniques:

• Cloning DNA fragments into a wide variety of plasmid and some viral vectors
• Introduction and expression of DNA in mammalian and bacterial cells
• Bioinformatics, including analysis of DNA sequence data and phylogenetics
• Analysis of proteins by SDS-PAGE and immunoblots, ELISA
• Quantitation of nucleic acids by real-time PCR
• Culture, isolation and characterization of bacteria
• Design and application of novel and established molecular diagnostic methods for detection, identification and quantification of microorganisms.

Lab Equipment

Click on the following links to learn more about the equipment available for use in the WCVM Molecular Microbiology Laboratory:

• Ultra-, high- and moderate-speed centrifuges and table top microfuges
• Horizontal gel electrophoresis gel apparatuses for nucleic acids
• Vertical gel apparatuses for protein analysis, along with attachments for blotting proteins to membranes for immunoblots
• Microplate reader with 410, 450, 490, 560, 595 and 650 nm filters
• NanoDrop spectrophotometers for measuring absorbance of small amounts of sample (1-2 µl) as well as traditional cuvette sample measurements
• Two Stratagene MX5000P real-time PCR machines
• Microarray slide reader and analysis software (Axon GenePixPro and Axon Acuity) as well as slide hybridization oven
• Typhoon 3 laser fluorescence and chemiluminescence scanner with ImageQuant software. Software for DIGE 2-D protein analysis and a spot picker
• Digital gel-documentation system
• Facilities for tissue-culture including biosafety cabinets and CO₂ incubators
• Facilities for growing bacterial cultures — orbital shaking and general purpose incubators
• Microscopes — inverted, light and fluorescent equipped with camera system
• Water purification system
• Luminex Bio-Plex 200 system

View images of other specialized equipment that's available in the Molecular Microbiology Laboratory:

• Apparatus for pulse-field gel electrophoresis
• Fastprep bead-beater
• Gel dryer
• Macvector and Assembler software for nucleic acid analysis and assembling sequence data