Core Technologies
The UCD Conway core technologies programme is the most comprehensive and advanced analysis platform for the life sciences and biomedical research in Ireland. We provide technology solutions to 21st century research questions. Our services are available to researchers in academia & industry.
Download the 2022 UCD Conway Core Technology brochure
Read the brochure online via Issuu
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IncuCyte® S3 Live-Cell Analysis Instrument - a microscope inside an incubator
**Free pilot experiment.
- Long-term time lapse experiments
- Single-time snapshots
- Whole-well montage with stitching
- The tray accommodates up to six multi-well plates at a time, or 35 mm dishes, or chamber slides.
- Two fluorescent channels (green and red) and one phase channel.
- High throughput analysis – tens of thousands of cells.
Benefits
- Analysis of large data sets is easy and quick with simple guided analysis
- Great multiple analysis tools with graphs and stats
- Check on your cells/experiment progress remotely
Assays
- Imaging of cells/organoids, live or fixed, on multi-well dishes or chamber slides
- Scratch Wound migration assay – automated wound detection
- Label Free Live/Dead assay in real time
- Cell cycle analysis
- Proliferation assay
- Apoptosis, cytotoxicity
Existing user?
Login to the new Bookkit system
First time user?
We are using an online portal, Bookkit by ClusterMarket for equipment booking and invoicing.
Contact the relevant facility to register for Bookkit and avail of the service required. You will be given login access to book and pay for services online.
Contact us
If you are experiencing technical difficulties using the dedicated website, email conwaytech@ucd.ie
If you would like to discuss your technology requirements in more detail;
E: conway@ucd.ie
T: (+353-1) 716 6705
Become an independent user
If you are interested in becoming an independent user on a particular technology, we can provide training on specialised equipment that is centrally located, properly maintained and managed by a team of technical staff. Training can be tailored to your particular needs and covers aspects such as:
- Sample preparation
- Instrument use
- Analysis of raw data
Accredited training
We provide accredited training (ECTS) for graduates and continuing professional development (CPD) modules for postdoctoral researchers in aspects of our core technologies:
- Introduction to ‘Omic’ and Advanced Imaging Technologies
- Applied Proteomics
- Flow Cytometry – Principles and Practice
- Advanced Biological Imaging
Contact us
Contact staff in the facility that you want to receive training in or let us direct your query by emailing: conway@ucd.ie
Key to the success of the UCD Conway core technology programme is our dedicated team of scientists and technical staff whose joint expertise ensures that our clients get the best quality service and the most out of their data. By focusing on research questions with a ‘problem solving’ approach, our team find the best-fit solution tailored to the particular research needs of clients and will help with all aspects of project planning, execution and downstream data analysis.
Research Question?
We wanted to do a method comparison for bead-based sandwich immunoassays between Radisens’ technology and the equipment within the flow cytometry core, to understand our competitive positioning.
‘The expertise in the flow cytrometry core has been very helpful in helping Radisens to validate the portable cytometer technology under development in-house. We were able to conduct method comparisons with a range of commercially available instruments. The guidance given on clinical use cases has further strengthened the company’s development.’
Mr Jerry O’Brien, CEO, Radisens Diagnostics
Research Question?
Can we make sensitive and quantitative measurements of intracellular calcium release in transfected cells?
‘The flow cytometry core has been very helpful in all aspects of the project, including the experimental setup, optimisation of measurements and data evaluation. This support has led to the successful generation of very clear and important new data.’
Dr Albert Smolenski, UCD
|Download brochure|
Research Question?
Can we identify mutations associated with high level methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
‘The service by the genomics core was excellent. It was much faster and more efficient than our previous experience using a commercial company. It was invaluable to have access to the expertise of scientists in the core when doing the sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.’
Professor Jim O’Gara, NUI Galway
Research Question?
Can we establish the transcriptomic profile of renal epithelial cells exposed to the profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGFB1) as an in vitro model of renal fibrosis?
‘The use of the genomics core is an invaluable service for our research into the mechanisms underlying renal fibrosis. In particular, as part of our RNA-seq experiment, we received considerable advice from staff on the design and execution of these experiments.’
Professor Catherine Godson, UCD ; Dr Eoin Brennan, postdoctoral fellow
|Download brochure|
Research Question?
What happens to the ultrastructural morphology of intestinal epithelial cell monolayers after perturbation with an intestinal absorption enhancer and then on removal of the enhancer? What is the effect of mucosal injury and repair on localisation of tight junction and adherens junction proteins?
‘The core staff provide the highest level of expertise in microscopic techniques. They not only helped with study design by ensuring that the chosen microscopy was the correct option but they also outlined several other novel and established techniques that could help in answering the proposed scientific questions and progress the research’
Professor David Brayden, UCD & Irish Drug Delivery Network ; Dr Sam Maher, postdoctoral fellow
|Download brochure|
Research Question?
Can we identify trace amounts of protein that stimulate cell migration?
‘Our attempt to map protein function in a delicate biofluid was a major challenge but the core staff designed a configuration that gave us the sensitivity we needed. The hardware in the MSR is world class, but it is the problem solving skills of the staff that makes the difference.’
Dr Gerard Cagney, UCD
Research Question?
Can we isolate murine photoreceptor cells to evaluate adeno- associated viral (AAV) based therapies for retinitis pigmentosa?
We have been successfully collaborating with the flow cytometry core director since 2005 to establish the parameters required to undertake this project. We have enjoyed a happy and productive relationship, as demonstrated by our publications. We have always received the highest quality samples, which has resulted in the generation of robust data.
Professor Jane Farrar, Trinity College Dublin; Dr Naomi Chadderton, postdoctoral fellow
Providing technology solutions to 21st century research questions
We have a proven track record in delivering comprehensive solutions to challenging research questions for our academic and industrial partners. Our client portfolio includes:
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Alltech is a global leader in the animal health and nutrition industry and among the top ten animal health companies in the world, focused on natural scientific solutions to today’s biggest agriculture and food industry challenges. |
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BD Accuri develops and manufactures personal flow cytometers for researchers. It is part of BD, a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. |
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Beckman Coulter develops, manufactures and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical testing. |
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Chemometech is improving analytical measurement techniques within the fields of particle counting and liquid chemical composition determination. Their primary focus is liquids analysis, especially for use in life sciences research, clinical diagnostics and in production and quality control within the pharmaceutical and food industries, and in agriculture. |
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Java Clinical Research develops and implements customised, informative assays in clinical trials, making use of proteomics, genomics, imaging and flow cytometry to help the drug development process. Java provides a complete clinical trial service to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. |
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National Institute of Bioprocessing Research & Training (NIBRT) provides training and research solutions for the bioprocessing industry. It supports the bioprocessing industry by providing a unique learning experience for trainees in an environment that replicates the most modern industrial bioprocessing facility. In parallel, NIBRT undertakes leading edge research in key areas of bioprocessing in collaboration with industry. |
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Pfizer is the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets leading prescription medicines to improve health. |
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Radisens Diagnostics are building the next generation of portable diagnostic platforms and consumable assay panels. |
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Shire - As one of the world’s leading specialty biopharmaceutical companies, Shire has emerged as a company fully focused on a single purpose: to enable people with life-altering conditions to lead better lives. |
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Trinity Biotech specialises in the development, manufacture and marketing of clinical diagnostic products.
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