The Microscopy Innovation Centre works with academic and industrial partners to develop and house advanced microscopy instrumentation and analysis tools. The MIC provides cutting-edge
custom microscopes to support users in their advanced imaging needs. Additionally, the MIC aids microscope designers, providing access and testing of their novel systems to the wider imaging community.

Public Health

Core provides sequencing using Illumina next-generation sequencing and ONT long read technologies. Offers library preparation services for genomes, exomes, transcriptomes, and ChIP-seq experiments, expertise on the best approach for samples, depending on the quality of nucleic acids, scope of project, and available budget.

Core provides expertise in radiochemistry, PET tracer development, preclinical PET and MRI imaging, cancer modelling, and advanced image analysis. Supports translational imaging research, with strengths in molecular imaging, pharmacodynamic biomarker development, and AI-enabled image analytics. Provided instruments include a GE PETtrace 800 cyclotron, radiosynthesis platforms, and small-animal NanoScan PET/MRI system. Services include expertise in both PET and MRI acquisition and analysis, supporting studies in cancer biology, metabolism, and therapy response.

Environmentally controlled facility that provides the equipment, advice, and technical support required to enable research involving laboratory rodents. Provides husbandry, care, and animal welfare while supporting preclinical in vivo models. Provides technical, husbandry, and legislative support.

Core provides bioanalytical and pharmacokinetic support for the research groups and associated clinical trials within the institute, creating a bridge between the laboratory and clinic. Offers services performing bioanalysis using mass spectrometry, quantify therapeutic drugs as well as small molecule cancer related metabolites (targeted metabolomics), analysis of samples from matrices including plasma, blood, tissues, tumours, and cells.

Core facility provides genome editing services in vitro and in vivo for translational cancer research. Services span functional genomics (CRISPR screens across cells, organoids and patient-derived xenograft models, integrated with single-cell RNA sequencing), transgenics (embryo manipulation, pronuclear injection, electroporation, cryopreservation, and import/export of genetically modified models), and multimodal pre-clinical trials run through a dedicated Small Animal Hospital using genetically engineered, xenograft and orthotopic models. Offers experimental design consultation to match editing technologies to each research question.

Core provides support for data analysis, statistics, and software development. Offers advice on experimental design, statistical modelling, and hypothesis testing and runs training courses to assist research scientists in performing their own analyses.

Core offers services for identification, quantification, and structural characterisation of proteins using next–generation mass spectrometry platforms. Uses mass spectrometry platforms that include Orbitrap Lumos, Ascend and Astral Zoom systems. Services include designing of experimental strategies, implementing and validating previously developed proteomic workflows to profile proteins from diverse biological samples, as well as developing methods and assays when required. Core focuses and specializes in using stable isotopic labelling strategies (Tandem Mass Tags) as well as label-free methods using different acquisition methods (DDA and DIA) for relative quantification of protein expression levels and enrichment within protein complexes. Develops and runs PRM (parallel reaction monitoring) assays for targeted quantification of defined panels of proteins.

Core facilitates all aspects of histopathology including processing, embedding, sectioning, histochemical staining, tissue microarray building, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation, whole slide scanning, and image analysis.

Core houses range of high-end equipment, specialised cell services and technical expertise required for day-to-day experiments. Provides access to equipment and specialised cell services. Offers technical and scientific support and training for equipment, cell and tissue culture. Provides access, tracking and storage of cell lines and routine cell culture quality control testing (mycoplasma/sterility testing and cell line authentication).

Core provides expertise, training and instrumentation for a range of advanced light microscopy techniques across scales and for a variety of samples. Instruments in our facility range from wide-field to non-linear multi-photon and lifetime imaging systems for cell and tissue studies.

Core provides cell analysis, sorting instruments and expertise in regular fluorescence, spectral, and flow cytometry. Offers educational and cytometric services including stem cell analysis, immunophenotyping, cell cycle analysis, translocation and co-localisation of cell activation markers, chromatin density, and apoptotic and necrotic analyses. Performs cell sorting, expertise in experimental design and provides equipment training for all users.

Offers processing fixed tissue for paraffin-embedded histology, cryo-microtomy, cell pellet processing, H+E staining and special histology stains or cellular material supplied. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and in-situ hybridisation service is available along with the capability to provide digital scanning and analysis. Many other techniques such as provision of tissue microarrays and other staining techniques such as TUNEL can be provided or set-up as required.