The Confocal Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Laboratory allows scientists to conduct cutting edge research in cellular and molecular biology, including real-time observation and study of cellular and subcellular interactions involved in the transmission of bacterial, parasitic, and viral diseases.
The facility serves over 65 users from some 20 laboratories. It allows research teams to study the mechanisms of macrophage activation, a prerequisite for the development of new pharmacological approaches based on the selective manipulation of macrophage intracellular signaling pathways to stimulate the immune system.
Their research also looks at the interaction between the Leishmania parasite and the macrophage at the cellular and molecular levels, and on the virulence spectra of this parasite, in order to combat leishmaniasis, which affects 12 million people a year.
The Confocal Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Laboratory plays an important role for the scientific community of Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre.
The Confocal Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Laboratory is equipped with:
- A four-laser BD LSRFortessa cytometer for high-level multiparametric analyses to characterize cell populations
- Atwo-laser BD FACS Calibur for conducting routine analyses such as of surface marker expression
- A Zeiss LSM780 confocal microscopy system, a state-of-the-art instrument for the study of various biological processes at the cellular and subcellular levels, such as intracellular trafficking and pathogen molecule localization
The acquisition of this facility in 2012 was made possible by a $210,000 donation from the Armand-Frappier Foundation and a grant of over $750,000 from Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation as part of the Research Support Program – Component 2.
Contacts
Confocal Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Laboratory
Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre
531 blvd. des Prairies
Laval, Quebec H7V 1B7
Canada