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Services

 

AQUARIUM EXPERIMENTAL PLANT

S1. Rental of our facilities for UV researchers and external users to carry out their research in the required conditions, while maintaining the marine and continental aquatic biota in optimal state. The service may include:

  • Consultancy on experimental design
  • Reception and acclimatization of the biota
  • Daily control of parameters (salinity, temperature, pH...) and water quality.
  • Maintenance of the filtration systems, cleaning, application of treatments.
  • Handling of animals (showing, anaesthesia, transfers...).

ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND EXPERIMENTATION

S2. Elaboration of protocols for colonies of rodents and lagomorphs associated with experimental projects requested by researchers and authorised by the competent bodies. This service may include:

  • Management and maintenance in different areas (conventional, pathogen-free and containment level P2).
  • Acquisition, measurement and analysis of in vivo images by fluorescence, bioluminescence, radioisotopes and high-resolution digital radiography.
  • Interventions on animals (surgery, administration of substances and sample collection).

ANATOMIC AND MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY

S3. Analysis of organic and inorganic compounds, solids, water and materials for both UV researchers and external users, including:

  • Organic elemental analysis (C, H, N, S), using an elemental analyser.
  • Trace elemental analysis, using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
  • Sample digestion, using a high-pressure microwave furnace.

S4. Determinations, characterisations and analyses of different types of samples such as: materials, soils, argyles, synthesis products, quality control, etc. for UV researchers and external users, using the following techniques:

  • Raman spectroscopy in an equipment containing three lasers (532 nm, 638 nm and 785 nm) and four diffraction lines.
  • FTIR spectroscopy with ATR.
  • Fluorescence spectrometry.

CELL CULTURES AND FLOW CYTOMETRY

S5. Temporary loan of a laboratory fully equipped and provided with biosafety2 level consumables and facilities, necessary to be used by UV researchers and external users who have been authorised and trained in advance. The service allows:

  • Perform culture of cells and tissues of animal origin.
  • Perform primary cultures and adhesion assays with bacteria and fungi.
  • Culture of animal cells in hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions (range from 0 to 90% oxygen).
  • More restricted containment area for the culture of biological agents with higher risk.
  • Acquisition and implementation of catalogued cell lines.
  • Contamination control: mycoplasma detection
  • Disintegration of tissues
  • Cryopreservation of cells in ultrafreezers and liquid nitrogen
  • Control and management of user-owned cell stocks
  • Maintenance of a cell bank at the disposal of users

S6. Analyses and separation of biological samples by flow cytometry, multicolour panel designs with the necessary anticoagulants and reagents, and following types of analyses: viability, proliferation, apoptosis, CBA, ploidy and cell cycle in animal and plant cells.

UV researchers and external users can apply for this service in three ways: 1) loan of the equipment and software so that the user can do it himself; 2) acquisition and analysis of samples already prepared by the user; 3) integral service by SCSIE Burjassot-Paterna.

VEGETAL PRODUCTION

S7. Production and maintenance of plant species for researchers at the UV, other research centres or universities and external users in general, aimed at technological research. It includes:

  • Rental of space for the development of plant crops.
  • Consultancy on the experimental design of integrated crop production and maintenance of plants, genetically modified plants and plant material in conventional and biological containment level NCB-1 areas.
  • Programmes for students with the aim of broadening their training, as well as tutoring student internships with the aim of contributing to scientific dissemination.

MASS SPECTROMETRY

S8. Characterisation, identification, quantification and separation of metabolites, for UV researchers and external users, by means of:

  • Analysis of volatile compounds by liquid injection, HS, SPME by gas-mass chromatography.
  • Analysis by direct injection and liquid chromatography (LC-MS), high resolution (high versatility in identification, quantification and structural confirmation).
  • Analysis by direct infusion and liquid chromatography (LC-MS), low resolution (allows simultaneous work with positive and negative ions, full scan, MRM etc.) in order to identify, quantify and confirm the compound under study.
  • Preparation of samples for analysis by mass spectrometry.

MICROSCOPY

S9. Observation and analysis of samples by optical and electron microscopy for UV researchers and external users. It also provides:

  • Consultancy on sample preparation.
  • Sample preparation.
  • Collaboration throughout the study process and assistance in optimising working conditions.
  • Provide training for the researcher to independently work with teams by means of an established protocol.
  • Transfer of work equipment, guaranteeing it is in perfect working order and up to date.

Techniques that can be practised in our laboratory:

  • Conventional and high resolution transmission electron microscopy with the possibility of EDX microanalysis.
  • High-resolution electron microscopy of environmental debris with the possibility of EDX microanalysis.
  • Optical microscopy.
  • Fluorescence microscopy with high-content tracking system and image analysis.
  • Multi-photo confocal microscopy.
  • Confocal microscopy with incubation chamber.

S10. Preparation of samples for optical and electron microscopy for UV researchers and external users, by means of:

  • Fixation with osmotic tetroxide.
  • Staining with uranyl acetate
  • Inclusion in epoxy resin
  • Semi-thin and ultrathin sample stems by ultramicrotomy
  • Cryofixation
  • Cryosubstitution
  • Low temperature embedding
  • Cryo ultramicrotomy
  • Diamond wire cutting
  • Ionic poliment
  • CO2 critical point treatment
  • Au-Pd recovery by means of cathodic powder sputtering
  • Paraffin embedding
  • Sample collection by means of microtomy

S11. Obtaining high resolution images using PET and CT technology for UV researchers, external users and companies, including:

  • Obtaining images of biological processes inside small animals (ratites and mice). Technique based fundamentally on the absorption of radioactively labelled glucose, FDG.
  • Obtaining CT images of small objects. Obtaining tomographic images, 3D, based on CT technology (X-ray tomography) of objects of reduced dimensions (samples of tissues, bones, etc.).

S12. Support researchers exploring new imaging techniques that complement and improve PET, by means of:

  • Supporting research into new imaging techniques that complement and improve PET. Providing technical knowledge for the development of new techniques and algorithms for image reconstruction that can complete the signal information.
  • Support for research into the development of new detectors. Provide technical knowledge for the development of new detectors that can complete and offer new forms of signal detection.

PROTEOMICS
S13. Protein analyses for UV researchers and external users. It may include:

  • Identification of high-resolution proteins. Identifying proteins by fractionation of complex protein samples through the tryptic peptides separation and analysis by LC-MSMS mass spectrometry.
  • Proteomes and subproteomes differential expression analysis. Analysis of differences in protein expression between different experimental conditions of interest, using techniques based on the separation of proteins in gel or peptides by LC-MSMS mass spectrometry.
  • Determination of the molecular weight of and other molecules. To determine the molecular weight of peptides, proteins and other molecules of interest by analysing their mass/charge ratio by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry.
  • Protein characterisation. To characterise specific proteins in detail as studies of post-translational modifications.
  • Protein quantification. Absolute quantification of specific proteins using quantitative targeted proteinomics approaches: SMR, MRM.
  • Separation and analysis of proteins in polyacrylamide gels (1D-2D-PAGE). Separation of complex protein extracts by means of electrophoresis in one- or two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels, under native or denaturing conditions.

NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (NRMR)

S14. Samples preparation and acquisition of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra in liquid and solid state for UV researchers and external users. This service includes:

  • Making NMR equipment available to UV researchers.
  • 1D and 2D NMR in liquid state, at variable temperature:
  • Equip DPX300 (300 MHz), 5mm tetranuclear QNP probe (1H, 13C, 31P and 19F).
  • AV400 (400 MHz) equipment, BBI (ATMA), BBO (ATMA), 5 mm probes.
  • DRX500 (500 MHz) equipment, BBOF plus (ATMA) probe of 5mm.
  • Solid state MRI:
  • WB400 equipment, DVT probes (1H/BB) 4mm, DVT (1H/BB) 7mm.
  • Technical advice on the process and use of the equipment.

X-RAY DIFFRACTION AT POLES

S15. Studies and characterisation of materials by means of X-ray diffraction, thermal and thermogravimetric analysis both for researchers at the UV and for external researchers and companies, in addition:

  • Qualitative and quantitative analysis of crystalline phases by X-ray diffraction of polycrystalline materials.
  • Temperature chamber and qualitative and quantitative analysis of crystalline phases by X-ray diffraction of polycrystalline materials as a function of the temperature to which these materials are subjected.
  • Analysis of crystalline phases by X-ray diffraction and structural characterisation of surfaces in epitaxial and multilayer layers.
  • Thermodifferential and thermogravimetric analysis of materials (ATD-TGA). It consists of the determination of the structural changes that take place in solid-solid transitions, which can be endothermic or exothermic.

SINGLE-CRYSTAL X-RAY DIFFRACTION AND FLUORESCENCE

S16. Crystallographic studies of new compounds for UV researchers and external researchers. This service includes:

  • Making available the equipment, with prior authorisation, and once the necessary training with instructions for using the equipment by the unit's staff has been received.
  • Providing technical advice to the unit's staff.
  • Compilation of data for the resolution of the crystalline structure.
  • Elucidate the crystal structure of new chemical compounds using X-ray diffraction in single crystals. Optionally, it can be measured at low temperature.

S17. Carry out qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative analyses of materials for UV researchers and other external researchers, and this service also includes:

  • Making available the use of the equipment, with prior authorisation and once the necessary training with the instructions for use of the equipment by the staff of the section has been received.
  • Providing technical advice to the section's personnel.
  • Preparation of study samples.
  • Acquisition of spectrograms.

GENOMICS

S18. Genetic studies for UV researchers, external researchers and companies, by means of:

  • Massive sequencing of nucleic acids. Developing mass sequencing projects with NGS technology from the preparation of libraries to the primary bioinformatics analysis of the data obtained.
  • Sanger DNA sequencing. Perform sequencing reactions on different genetic material, such as PCR products, plasmids or cosmids, and analyse fragments using capillary electrophoresis with ABI3730XL equipment.
  • Analysis of molecular markers. To develop studies of genetic variability of organisms, phylogenetic and evolutionary studies, by means of the analysis of markers through molecular techniques based on DNA sequencing.
  • Quantitative PCR. Assessment in the design and performance of nucleic acid quantification studies, gene expression studies and genotyping.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of genetic data. Perform bioinformatic analysis of the data obtained in capillary sequencing and mass sequencing, such as collation, alignment, differential expression studies, mapping, etc.
  • Bioanalysis of nucleic acids. Analysis of the quality and integrity of DNA and RNA.

BLOWN GLASS

S19. Manufacture and repair of glassware and scientific glassware for use in laboratories. For researchers at the UV, researchers from other universities and companies, using the following methods:

  • Repairs of laboratory equipment manufactured in glass or quars (reactors, refrigerators, flasks, flasks, etc.).
  • Manufacture in glass or glassware of special equipment based on the design provided by the user or on already existing pieces).