This infrastructure comprises two separate laboratories – 3.4.6. and 3.4.8 - with state-of-the-art equipment for microbiology and mammalian cell culture. It is fully equipped with class II flow chambers that assure aseptic conditions during cell handling, along with a temperature and CO2 controlled incubator. The storage of samples at -80ºC, -20ºC or +4ºC stable temperature conditions is also possible. This facility is compliant with toxicologic testing of materials and drugs according to ISO standards (e.g., ISO 10993-5:2009). Commercially available standard biomaterials, or newly developed platforms, can also be used to grow and/or differentiate cells using either static or dynamic conditions (spinner flasks setups available). The laboratories are also equipped with quantitative real-time PCR, targeting different biomedical applications and the characterization of cell-based/cell-containing bioengineered constructs. The Bioengineering Laboratory provides services to the UA community, as well as to the external scientific community and other technological entities. The use of the facility may be enabled through training or assisted usage.
About Bioengineering Laboratory
Animal Cell Culture
Handling of animal cells in sterile conditions and culture (e.g., cell expansion) in CO2 chambers with controlled temperature. Interface experiments using biomaterials and bioreactors (e.g., spinner flasks and microcarriers).
Cytocompatibility Testing
Use of ISO certified cytotoxicity tests (namely MTT and MTS tests) to assess the cytotoxicity of drugs, biomaterials, and other agents towards animal cells. The protocols may be adjusted to specific requirements.
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João Mano
Scientific Coordinator
Mara Freire
Scientific Coordinator
Mariana Oliveira
Laboratory Researcher
Instruments
The laboratories are equipped with two vertical laminar air flow cabinets for individual operators, and one cabinet that can be used by two operators simultaneously. This equipment enables the handling of animal cells, microorganisms, and the preparation of biomaterials under sterile conditions through the continuous filtration of circulating air in the chamber through HEPA filters.
Available models:
- 1 Telstar BiOptima EN 12469:2000 Green Line
- 2 FASTER BH-EN 2004
The incubator is suitable for cell-based assays in drug and biomedical research.
Temperature range 7 °C (13 °F) above ambient temperature up to 60 °C (140 °F)
MCS controller for temperature and CO2 concentration
Standard compliant 180 °C (356 °F) hot air sterilization using an overnight cycletime
Gas mixing head. Usually used with 5% CO2 tension, but adaptable to other conditions, such as hypoxia (using adequate gas mixtures).
The laboratories are equipped with security sensors to monitor atmospheric oxygen concentration.
- Mega start 1.6R VWR: refrigerated centrifuge with rotors adapted for 15 and 50 mL tubes. Temperature range -10ºC to +40ºC. Max. FCR 4149 x g
- Sigma 1-16K: refrigerated microcentrifuge with rotor adapted for 1.5 and 2 mL tubes. Lowest temperature +4ºC. Max. FCR 20.627 x g
- Micro Star 12 VWR: microcentrifuge for Eppendorfs. Rotor for 12×1.5/2.0 mL tubes. Max. FCR 12300 × g
Storage of samples at -80 °C (possible range -90ºC to -40ºC).
Storage of samples at +4ºC and -20ºC.
Drying and heating chambers with forced convection. Max temperature: +300 ºC.
Inverted optical microscope adapted to the observation of adherent and suspension cells. Available objectives of 10, 20, and 40x.
UV-Visible Spectrophotometer for wavelength scanning from 190-1100 nm. Modes of operation: Photometric, Spectrum, Kinetics, Quantitation, Time Scan, Multi-Component Quantitation and Biomethod.
Temperature range: Ambient +7 °C to 60 °C. Timer: 0.1 – 99.9 h. Speed range: 50?–?400 rpm.
BioRad, CFX Connect Real Time System Compatible with two-target multiplex PCR and routine detection of single fluorophore experiments. Detection of up to 2 targets per well, plus a channel dedicated to singleplex FRET.
Sample capacity 96 x 0.2 mL tubes, 0.2 mL tube strips, or 1 x 96-well plate. Temperature range 4–100°C.
Temperature of sterilization 110 to 123?. Pressure: sterilization at 121?: 1.1 to 1.2 kg / cm2. Volume 50L.
Maximum Weighing Capacity 220 g. Repeatability 0.1 mg. Linearity 0.2 mg
Multifunctional microplate reader that supports 6- to 384-well microplates. It is a filter-based (540, 620 and 690 nm currently available) multimode reader that supports, among others, the following measurement techniques: Fluorescence Intensity Top and Bottom; Time-Resolved fluorescence; Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET); Time-Resolved Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (TR-FRET); Absorbance; Glow or Flash Luminescence; Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET); AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA.
Measuring Volume: 3.4 μL / test; Measure range: 5 x 10E4 - 4 x 10E6 cell / mL; Cell type: Cell line (clumpy cell, single cell), PBMCs, Adipose Stem cell, Total white blood cell, Primary cells.