Core technology platforms

The new core technology platforms will enable a faster, more efficient and scalable translation of scientific discoveries into new therapies for neurological diseases. At their core, they are designed to support a collaborative, efficient and sustainable way of working. 

Background

Basic and applied biomedical research increasingly relies on sophisticated and powerful technologies. 

In the last decade, new technologies such as single cell analysis, faster and more reliable genomics and transcriptomics, and high-resolution and mesoscale imaging have revolutionised research into the mechanisms of human diseases.

We will consolidate key technologies in a handful of well-resourced core technology platforms to enable IoN to maintain its position as a global leader in pioneering research into neurological conditions.

Supporting the core technology platforms

A team of technologists will be charged with sourcing and maintaining the very best technology. This way these platforms will not only provide IoN’s scientists with state-of-the-art instrumentation and new technologies, but also with intellectual partners who can discuss and refine the proposed experiments, recommend the right approach, help with data interpretation and provide training.

What are the core technology platforms?

These 11 basic and clinical cores will cover the current day-to-day needs of UCL’s neuroscientists and future proof the process of scientific discovery at the new building. 

Core technology platform	Laboratory type
Cell Imaging & Microscopy (CIM)	Wet
hiPSC Platform (HIP)	Wet
Tissue Processing & Analysis (TPA)	Wet
Single Cell Analysis (SCA)	Wet
Genetic Therapy Platform (GTP)	Wet
Animal behavioural Suite (ABS)	Wet
Genomics and high-throughput sequencing (GHS)	Wet
Bioinformatics and Biostatistics (B&B)	Dry
MRI Research Platform (MRP)	Clinical
Scientific IT Platform (SITP)	Infrastructure

Mission and deliverables of each platform

Cell Imaging & Microscopy (CIM)

• Overall mission: Enabling the ultrastructural analysis of biological samples, including cells and tissues, and will cater for the imaging needs of the IoN community for confocal / super-resolution / two photon microscopy for in vivo, ex vivo and fixed specimen analyses. 
• Typical procedures: high-resolution imaging, quantitative image analysis and intravital microscopy.
• Typical instruments: Up to12 microscopes including confocal, two photons, light sheet, super-resolution (STORM/PALM, structured illumination), longitudinal.
• Contiguity: Single Cell Analysis, Tissue Processing & Analysis.

hiPSC Platform (HIP)

• Overall mission: Handling, differentiation and long-term preservation of human iPSCs and related patient-derived human cell lines. This core facility will enable the manipulation of hiPSC and their differentiation into distinct cell types using validated protocols and ensuring quality control standards. 
• Typical procedures: hiPSC characterisation and validation. hiPSC expansion and differentiation. Quality control verification. Genetic modification.
• Typical instruments: Robotic arm for cell handling and differentiation. Cell incubators, some with hypoxy-conditions; Biological cabinets and tissue culture set up. Cryostore and -80˚C dedicated storage.
• Contiguity: Single Cell Analysis and Cell Imaging & Microscopy. 

Tissue Processing & Analysis (TPA)

• Overall mission: Facilitating the successful development of projects requiring in-depth analyses of animal and human tissue. This core facility will provide support for established histochemical protocols as well as state-of-the-art multiplexing in situ staining. 
• Typical procedures: semi-thin / thin sectioning of frozen and paraffin-embedded specimens; in situ single and multiplex RNA localisation analysis. Clearing of tissues and whole organisms (embryo).
• Typical instruments: RNAscope / Basescope / single molecule FISH, Leica Bind RX and Ventana Discovery Ultra platforms – ADC; cryostats; microtomes; CLARITY-dedicated vented hood.
• Contiguity: Cell Imaging & Microscopy.

Single Cell Analysis (SCA)

• Overall mission: Enabling cell handling and analyses at single cell level. This core facility includes capabilities of single cell isolation and processing at genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic and/or proteomic levels.
• Typical procedures: FACS analysis, single cell handling (e.g., microfluidics), RNA isolation, library preparation.
• Typical instruments: FACS sorters, PCRs (both conventional and real time, tape stations, sequencing platforms.
• Contiguity: Cell Imaging & Microscopy.

Genetic Therapy Platform (GTP)

• Overall mission: Enabling the design, generation and production of innovative viral and non-viral vectors, ASO and their derivatives for experimental preclinical genetic targeting and therapy.
• Typical procedures: Molecular biology, gene handling, genetic engineering of tailor-made vector backbone. Virus particle generation, purification and titration. Expertise for preclinical in vivo validation.
• Typical instruments: Cell incubators, biological cabinets and tissue culture set up. Molecular biology suite.
• Contiguity: Ultracentrifuges. Access to Cell Imaging & Microscopy. 

Animal behavioural Suite (ABS)

• Overall mission: Allowing phenotyping of new animal models of disease and the monitoring of the effectiveness of novel therapeutic approaches against neurodegenerative diseases. 
• Typical procedures: Behavioural analyses in living mice, such as motor performance, sensory function (e.g., von Frey, Randall Selitto), fear-conditioning, videocage analysis. 
• Typical instruments: Rotarod, water maze, beam walking, gate analysis system (e.g., Catwalk).
• Contiguity: Biological Services Unit.

Genomics and high-throughput sequencing (GHS)

• Overall mission: Provide next-generation sequencing (NGS) and long-read sequencing for human and non human samples.
• Typical procedures: Handling biological samples (blood and saliva for human specimens) for DNA extraction, lymphoblasts and fibroblasts for storage and next generation sequencing (NGS) and long-read sequencing.
• Typical instruments: DNA extraction setup (e.g. incubators, centrifuges). PCR machines, tape station. NGS sequencers and long read set-up.
• Contiguity: Cryostore.

Bioinformatics & Biostatistics (B&B)

• Overall mission: Facilitating the analyses of large datasets originated by genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics. Provide statistical support to scientific projects operating within IoN.
• Typical procedures: data analyses, software development and data processing.
• Typical instruments: computer cluster; large band connection to data storage.
• Contiguity: Scientific IT Platform.

MRI Research Platform (MRP)

• Overall mission: Innovation in MRI, expanding on the capabilities of IoN in terms of MRI acquisition, analyses and diagnostic power on a vast array of neurological diseases.
• Typical procedures: MRI imaging and data analyses of human subjects.
• Typical instruments: MRI scanner 3T, MRI scanner 7T, data storage.
• Contiguity: Scientific IT Platform.

Scientific IT Platform (SITP)

• Overall mission: Enabling networking and local computation power to the research activities planned at GIR. It will have a major impact across the Core Technological Platforms. 
• Typical procedures: Computation and networking.
• Typical instruments: Computer servers and data storage arrays.
• Contiguity: None.