Immunoassays and Cytometry
Immunoassays
The Biobehavioral Laboratory (BBL)
The Biobehavioral Laboratory (BBL) services include enzyme immunoassay analysis of salivary biomarkers, as well as serum/plasma biomarkers. Other biomarkers can be assayed upon request.
CFAR Advanced Technology Laboratory Core
The Advanced Technology Laboratory Core offers services and collaborations to HIV researchers for their basic and clinical research projects. The Core provides a GCLP environment for specimen processing and testing. It has previously been known as the CFAR HIV/STD Laboratory.
The laboratory is equipped and experienced in the preparation and/or storage of tissues, cells or body fluids, the diagnosis and measurement of HIV and other STIs, and the assessment of soluble and/or cellular immune system components within each of these specimen types. Services include: Specimen processing and storage, provision of clinical specimens from HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, HIV diagnosis, HIV monitoring, HIV sequencing, STI diagnosis/screening, HLA typing, measurement of soluble biomarkers (ELISA, Luminex platform, ELISPOT), flow cytometry for phenotyping and functional analysis of immune cell populations, antibody analysis, and in vitro HIV assays for antiretroviral activity. The core also liases on behalf of customers with the Flow Cytometry Core for access to flow cytometry instrumentation and expertise.
Respiratory TRACTS Core
The Respiratory TRACTS Core (RTC) provides turnkey services to clinical and biomedical investigators at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as off-site investigators. Our main focus is kickstarting translational research projects by aiding investigators in:
· Logistics: study design, methodological planning, and data analysis consulting
· Sample Management: collection, processing, and storage of biological samples along with dedicated technical personnel for assay performance
· Analysis: generating data using a wide range of unbiased and targeted approaches and state-of-the-art technologies
Services include Luminex multiplex assays, ELISA, NanoString, and qPCR services
The RTC can also support clinical trials or studies concerning Covid-19. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Serology Service Center
Our services focus on various aspects of serological analysis and offer consultations and diagnostic solutions. Below are some of the services we will cover in our core. To access core services email Dr. Prem Lakshamanane at prem@med.unc.edu.
At SSC we offer consultation and services for various serological analysis.
- Develop and validate singleplex and multiplex assays for measuring humoral response following infection or vaccination
- Develop and validate novel recombinant antigens for various pathogens
- Provide serodiagnostic services on variety of specimen types
- Provide immunogenicity services for vaccine studies
- Provide serology reagents and training for various serological assays
- Identify immunodominant epitopes in polyclonal response and map epitopes for monoclonal antibodies
Flow Cytometry
UNC Flow Cytometry Core Facility
The UNC Flow Cytometry Core Facility provides state-of-the-art flow cytometry analysis instrumentation and cell sorting services. The facility offers single cell sorting for downstream applications such as cell culture as well as genomic and proteomic analysis. Nine analytic cytometers and four cell sorters provide a spectrum of applications from simple screening of fluorescent protein expression on the iQue Screener PLUS to cellular image analysis on the Amnis ImageStreamX. The CyAn and Attune cytometers provide ‘entry level’ data acquisition while the LSR II and LSR Fortessa offer higher complexity acquisition. The Fluidigm Helios CyTOF Mass cytometer offers high parameter data acquisition. All staff members are CCy-certified and provide training to all users on the cytometers and for cell sorting on a limited basis. BSL-2 cell sorting is run exclusively by flow core staff and requires additional biosafety documentation. Training on the basics of Flow Cytometry experimental design is required for all users. We offer additional advanced training on specific topics throughout the year in a variety of venues. The core holds site licenses for several data analysis programs including FlowJo, FCS Express and Cytobank.
Mass Cytometry
Mass Cytometry and Cell ‘Omics Core
The UNC Mass Cytometry and Cell Omics Core provides comprehensive support for the design and execution of high-parameter single-cell experiments. The core offers expert assistance with mass cytometry panel design, protocol optimization, antibody procurement, cell staining, data acquisition, and basic data analysis using Cytobank. The facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art XT model mass cytometer manufactured by Standard BioTools.
In addition to mass cytometry, the core supports a range of transcriptomic applications, including Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep, T Cell Receptor 5′ RACE amplicon library preparation, and 10x Genomics single-cell library preparations for 5′ transcriptome and immune receptor V(D)J profiling.
The UNC Mass Cytometry and Cell Omics Core is open to all UNC clinical and basic science investigators, as well as researchers from external academic institutions and commercial organizations.