Core Facilities

AVAILABLE TO TRAINED USERS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE UCL ON A PAY-PER-USE BASIS.

The WAVEsystem, a Creoptix GCI Technology, puts a breakthrough level of binding kinetics analysis at your fingertips by pushing the boundaries of affinity range and sample compatibility. The WAVE's exceptionally high data quality, sample compatibility and automated software facilitates drug discovery and enable new inroads into R&D. 

• Crude samples, harsh chemicals, and particles up to 1000 nm 
• Self-contained disposable cartridge and small footprint
• Ultra-fast transition times of 150 ms with reliable determination of off-rates up to 10 s-1
• Superior signal-to-noise ratios (0.01 pg/mm2 at 1 Hz)
• Reliable kinetics and binding affinities (KD) from low pM to low mM with from signals below 1 pg/mm2
• Analyze large ligand‑to‑analyte molecular weight ratios up to >1000:1
• Up to 120 hours of unattended operation

Detailed specifications

Breakthrough Binding Kinetics Analysis

• Expands affinity range and sample compatibility.

• Enhances drug discovery and R&D through high data quality and sophisticated software.

Real-Time Label-Free Binding Kinetics

• Combines robustness for crude samples, high sensitivity, and advanced software.

• Utilizes innovative microfluidics and proprietary Grating-Coupled Interferometry (GCI) technology.

High Sensitivity

• Superior to SPR in reading refractive index changes, leading to higher sensitivity.

• Waveguide’s evanescent field minimizes bulk disturbances, ensuring high signal-to-noise ratios.

• Measures kinetics (ka, kd) and affinity (KD) from low pM to low mM, even from very low signals (<1RU).

Temperature-Controlled Autosampler

• Can handle various sample formats (vial racks, well plates).

• Allows sensitivity with low immobilization levels and large ligand-to-analyte MW ratios.

Large Ligand-to-Analyte Molecular Weight Ratios

• Suitable for large target-to-analyte molecular weight ratios up to >1000:1.

• Ensures accurate kinetic analysis of low-potency small molecules or targets with low activity.

More Signal, Less Noise

• GCI’s evanescent field reduces bulk refractive index disturbances.

• Results in superior signal-to-noise ratios.

Robust Readout

• Time-domain interference readout within the waveguide offers robustness.

• Time-resolved phase-shift signal measurement provides superior resolution despite temperature drifts or vibrations.

 

Prices

£100 per day or £1,500 per year, unlimited access

Training and Access

For access and to register interest for training, please contact Dr. Ramin Sadri (R.Sadri@ucl.ac.uk) 

The LSM 880 is a confocal laser scanning microscope with four confocal detectors (including Airyscan) on an upright microscope.

The LSM 880 is a fast, sensitive, linear scanning confocal system with temperature regulated detectors, electronics, and scanners for versatile imaging of many different samples. 

Its unique design allows for the best possible combination of efficiency, flexibility, maintenance and upgrade opportunities.

• Six laser lines (405, 458, 488, 514, 561, 633nm)
• A range of objectives allowing fast imaging of low-level fluorescence in sections or slices (e.g. 25x/0.8NA PlanApo multi-immersion, 0.57mm working distance) 
• GaAsP detectors allowing 96 frames/second image acquisition in FAST mode (512x512 pixels).  

Includes Zeiss control and analysis software (ZEN) on the microscope and a free-standing workstation.

Detailed specifications

• The LSM 880 employs the next generation of detector arrays that offers many advantages. The GaAsP detector has a 2x better signal to noise ratio for less sample bleaching and faster image acquisition. Thel GaAsP detectors have a quantum efficiency of typically 45%. A sequential acquisition mode allows spectral imaging with spectral resolution to 3 nm

• The LSM 880 employs the next generation of detector arrays that offers many advantages. The GaAsP detector has a 2x better signal to noise ratio for less sample bleaching and faster image acquisition. Thel GaAsP detectors have a quantum efficiency of typically 45%. A sequential acquisition mode allows spectral imaging with spectral resolution to 3 nm.

• The spectral detection system offers excellent sensitivity, lowest dark noise and noise-free digital gains to adjust the balance of even the most extreme dye combinations.

• Diode 405nm
  Argon multiline 458/488/514nm (25mW)
  DPSS 561nm (20mW)
  HeNe 633nm (5mW)

• Software controlled, apochromatically corrected pinhole.

• Axio Imager Z2 upright microscope with TFT touchscreen control in docking station to allow for incubation chamber (optional).

• Transmitted light brightfield and DIC, with incident light fluorescence Optional Solent Scientific microscope incubation system with temperature control for stable long term imaging and CO2 module.

• Widefield epifluorescence module with HXP long lifetime metal halide light source Fluorescence filters for blue, green and red emission.

• Motorised X/Y stage with software control Piezo Z stage with 500 micron movement range ZEN 2 LSM software including 3D and 4D reconstruction and animation.

• Analysis and quantification for co-localisation and spectral unmixing

• The LSM 880 uses the Zeiss Efficient Navigation software (ZEN), which provides a logical, easy to understand user interface.

• The new smart setup function is a highlight of the ZEN software platform. Acquisition setup is easily achieved by selecting the dyes you wish to use in your experiment from within the software.

• The software intelligently allows preference for speed, signal or both. This makes the LSM 880 very easy to configure and allows users to become quickly proficient in acquiring the best quality images.

• Emission bands may be flexibly selected to within 1nm accuracy, without emission filters or secondary dichroics.

• The unique emission loop ensures up to 99.8% of emission light reaches the detectors.

• A flexible beampath with the innovative TwinGate main beamsplitter provides up to 50 combinations of excitation laser lines with reflected laser light suppression between OD6 and OD7.

• Transmitted light detector for simultaneous brightfield, DIC and fluorescent imaging.

• xy, xz, xyz, xyzt, lambda (spectral scan),line scan and spot scan modes.

• Freely selectable ROI for laser scanning and photobleaching/photoactivation with ms switching between photo bleaching and collection of confocal data.

• Scan speeds of up to 13 frames/second with 512 x 512 pixels.

• Variable increase in scan speed depending on frame size

• (e.g. 215 frames/second at 512 x 16 pixels, unidirectional - 430 fps if in bidirectional mode)

• Lasers, with laser power at fibre output

Prices

£20.00 per hour (internal or external)

Training and Access

For access and to register interest for training, please contact Dr. Ramin Sadri (R.Sadri@ucl.ac.uk) 

Bookings

All UCL staff and students can book this equipment through Outlook. Bookings are made by the hour starting on the hour. 

Please contact Dr. Ramin Sadri (R.Sadri@ucl.ac.uk) for details.

Once you are registered as a user, please provide the following mandatory information when you book: