Facilities and Labs

Other Analytical Services

Electron Microscopy

The Hamner uses scanning and transmission electron microscopy to study the toxic effects of various substances on the morphology of biological specimens and to characterize the size, shape, and distribution of generated particles and aerosols from both biological and nonbiological samples. For specimens in the micrometer and nanometer size ranges, these microscopes provide high-resolution images of both surface and internal structures.

Flow Cytometry

Flow cytometry is used to determine size, density, and fluorescent characteristics of cells and other particles in suspension. The Becton Dickinson FACSVantageT flow cytometer can collect up to four fluorescent signals from any one particle and can sort particles based on fluorescent and light-scatter characteristics. The Guava PC personal cytometer is unique among flow cytometers in that it meters the volume of sample that passes through the laser beam so that particles can be analyzed and counted simultaneously.

The Hamner has recently acquired a specialized flow cytometer called the Bio-Plex Suspension Array System. The Bio-Plex uses fluorescently coded microspheres to simultaneously detect up to 100 analytes per microplate well with a sample as small as 12 µl. Analyses that can be performed include enzyme assays, immunoassays, and DNA hybridization assays.

Image Analysis

Image Analysis

The Hamner has extensive capabilities in digital photomicroscopy and quantitative image analysis. Three Image-Pro Plus workstations provide a full range of tools for image capture, analysis, processing, measurement, archiving, and output. Three fluorescence microscopes have recently been upgraded for image analysis: the Zeiss Axiovert 200M inverted microscope has an AxioCam high-resolution, digital black-and-white camera; the Zeiss Axioskop 2 microscope has a Spot RT color digital camera; and the Olympus BX61 microscope has an Olympus Magnifier color digital camera.