Equipment

Slide processing

• Forced-air convection oven
• Three water baths
• VP2000 slide processor for large slide volumes (25 slides per rack)
• Four HYBrite programmable hybridization ovens
• Incubator (37 degrees Celsius)

Microscopes and imaging systems

These microscopes and imaging systems are located in the Cytogenetics Core. Note that the Z-stack feature allows for multiple-layer capturing, which is ideal for paraffin-embedded tissue sections. If needed, objectives can be moved by core staff to a different microscope.

Scope 1: Zeiss Axioplan 2 imaging

• Microscope features. Fluorescence, brightfield and phase-contrast.
• Filters. DAPI, TRITC, FITC, Texas Red, Aqua and Gold.
• Objectives. 10X, 16X, 63X and 100X.
• Imaging system features. FISH capture, but no Z-stack capabilities.

Scope 2: Zeiss Axioplan 2 imaging

• Microscope features. Fluorescence, brightfield and phase-contrast.
• Filters. 82000 series filter set (DAPI, SpectrumOrange, SpectrumGreen and FITC), 83000 series filter set (DAPI, FITC, Texas Red) and Aqua.
• Objectives. 5X, 10X, 25X, 40X, 63X and 100X.
• Imaging system features. FISH capture and Z-stack capabilities.

Scope 3: Zeiss Axio Imager Z1

This scope is primarily used by core staff. Researchers need additional permission and training before using it.

• Microscope features. Fluorescence, brightfield, phase-contrast and internal Z-stack.
• Filters. DAPI, FITC, SpectrumOrange, Texas Red, Far Red, Gold, Aqua, SpectrumOrange-SpectrumGreen and Texas Red-FITC.
• Objectives. 10X, 40X, 63X and 100X.
• Imaging system features. Karyotyping, FISH, multicolor FISH and Z-stack capabilities.

Scope 4: Zeiss Axioplan 2 imaging

• Microscope features. Fluorescence, brightfield, phase-contrast and internal Z-stack.
• Filters. 82000 series filter set (DAPI, SpectrumOrange, SpectrumGreen and FITC), 83000 series filter set (DAPI, FITC, Texas Red), Aqua, Far Red and Gold.
• Objectives. 5X, 63X and 100X.
• Imaging system features. Karyotyping, FISH, multicolor FISH, comparative genomic hybridization and Z-stack capabilities.

Scope 5: Zeiss Axioplan 2

• Microscope features. Fluorescence, brightfield and Z-stack capabilities.
• Filters. DAPI, SpectrumOrange, SpectrumGreen, FITC, Texas Red and Aqua.
• Objectives. 63X and 100X.
• Imaging system features. FISH capture and Z-stack capabilities.

Scope 6: Brightfield microscope

Scope 7: Leica Diavert inverted phase-contrast microscope

Scope 8: Zeiss Axioplan 2 with applied spectral imaging system

This spectral karyotyping (SKY) scope is for use only by trained core staff.

• Microscope features. Fluorescence, brightfield and phase-contrast.
• Filters. DAPI, FITC, TRITC and SKY.
• Objectives. 20X, 40X, 63X and 100X.
• Imaging system features. SKY, karyotyping and FISH.

FISH probe production equipment

This equipment is available only to core staff for quality-control purposes.

• Shaking incubator
• Beckman Coulter Avanti J-E centrifuge
• Eppendorf Microcentrifuge 5415R
• Fisher Scientific Isotemp 3013P circulating water bath
• Salare FCE-640 ducted total exhaust fume hood
• Thermo Scientific orbital shaker
• Sonics Vibra-Cell sonicator
• Thermo Scientific PX2 thermal cycler
• Fisher Scientific electrophoresis system
• Fotodyne UV Transilluminator and digital camera system