The APF’s Scientific Programs Team combines scientific expertise, project management as well as laboratory-based expertise to undertake complex research investigations for the research community. Managing a screen or a range of assays around a particular cohort of samples or patients requires a meeting of minds as to the scientific intent and high standards of quality data production. Our teams regularly manage the production of gene variant mice, coordinate and perform demanding phenotyping assays and provide a range of data management and analysis expertise and services.

Mouse Phenotyping

Researchers can:

• register their interest in a mouse strain(s) (CRISPR/Cas9 or ENU gene variant) and work with our team of specialists to customise phenotyping to your research requirements.
• request a customised phenotyping screen on large-scale forward genetic N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenized mouse pedigrees for gene discovery.
• send mice and/or samples to the facility from their mouse facility for individualised tests
• store samples in the APB biorepository and test as required
• store data and engage bioinformatics services to analyse results

Mouse Phenotyping Screens

APF staff have years of experience undertaking phenotype-driven screens to bring forward and validate new pheno-variants in mice. As part of the phenotyping pipeline, large cohorts of mutagenised mouse strains have been progressed through an optimised screen targeting biochemical, immunological and haematological pathways in the mouse. Where listed our protocols follow the international mouse phenotyping consortium IMPReSS guidelines.

Phenotyping procedures that are also available comprise:

• Organ collection
• Gross Morphology of Embryo’s
• Gross Morphology of the Placenta
• Skeletal Preps
• Transfection and Tissue Culture

Human Phenotyping Screens

Our team can perform and analyse serum/plasma and blood samples for a number of parameters. This includes white/red blood cell counts, flow cytometry of blood cells, antibodies, cytokines and biochemistry. Researchers can either:

• have the APF coordinate sample collection using your ethics approval
• send samples to the facility for individualised tests
• store samples in the APF biorepository and test as required
• store data and engage bioinformatics services to analyse results

Testing Equipment Capability

The APF has available extensive phenotyping platforms for both mouse and human sampling using both APF dedicated equipment as well as equipment within the JCSMR.

APF Equipment

Mesoscale Discovery Unit S 600

The Mesosector S 600 is an ultra-sensitive plate imager with industrial capacity. The imager reader is high speed, ultra-low noise CCD camera provides exceptionally high sensitivity, wide dynamic range and rapid read time. It’s capable of reading single and multiplex formats with a six-log range. The plate format is either 96-well and 384 well plate capability.

Indiko Plus Biochemical Analysis

The indiko Plus analyser is a bench top unit and has the capacity of up to 350 test/hr with one-reagent method. The indiko plus is a sample oriented random access system for testing such as enzymes, substrates, electrolytes, specific protein, drugs of abuse analysis, immunosuppressive drug analysis and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Advia 2120

The ADVIA 2120 is a haematology diagnostic instrument with a throughput of 120 samples per hour. The analyser uses whole blood samples to provide complete blood counts.

John Curtin School of Medical Research equipment

Flow cytometry

Cell sorting (FACS), benchtop cell analysis, multi parameter analysis, data analysis.

Microscopy

Brightfield, DIC, fluorescence, confocal and 2 photon microscopy, live cell imaging, data and image analysis.

Small animal in-vivo imaging

Bioluminescence, fluorescence and micro CT imaging, data analysis, ex vivo CT imaging.

Histology

Sample preparation, stained and unstained slides, cryo-sectioning, and a wide range of special stains.

Externally sourced equipment

Pathology services in Melbourne and Adelaide