Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics – Facilities

Vision: To facilitate an interdisciplinary, collaborative and conducive environment enabling students, postdocs and faculty staff to excel in their research.

Mission: To understand major biological processes at the molecular and cellular level through discovery-based research and to translate fundamental discoveries into clinical advances.

 

The molecular cell biology and genetics (MCB Genetics) facility at PAPRSB IHS, part of the Biomedical Science Programme, makes use of its own resources and also shares resources with the UBD Herbal Research Group, Biomedical Genomics Core (BGC) Lab, microbiology laboratory, as well as the tissue culture facilities.

Equipment and facilities for molecular biology students and faculty are readily available and reside in the MCB Genetics laboratory at the main PAPRSB IHS Building (ground floor) or in common equipment rooms at the main PAPRSB IHS Building and also the PAPRSB IHS Extension Building (fifth floor). The main and extension buildings are adjacent and physically connected by a bridge on the first floor, with great accessibility to faculty staff and students. Authorized and trained personnel have access to the facility via access cards.

Common Equipment and Resources:

  • Autoclave
  • Cold room
  • Electrophoresis chambers for DNA and protein gels
  • Digital heat block (dry bath)
  • Freezers and refrigerators
  • Ice machine
  • 37˚C incubator
  • Liquid nitrogen
  • Milli-Q water system
  • Microcentrifuges
  • Power supplies for gel electrophoresis
  • Rocking platforms and roller mixer
  • Table top refrigerated centrifuges
  • Ultracentrifuge
  • Vortexers
  • Water and metal-bead baths

Projects currently using the facilities:

  • The Brunei Breast Cancer Genome Project
  • Clinacanthus Nutans in Protecting Hepatocytes from Lipid Accumulation and Lipid-Mediated Cellular Damage
  • Investigation on BK Variants in Breast Cancer Tissue Across Histogrades and Molecular Subtypes
  • Investigation on the Metabolic Alterations Induced By Clinacanthus Nutans-Derived  Nanoparticles and Their Efficacy in Preventing Insulin Resistance in Mice

Past projects:

  • Genetic Variation Profiling of Inherited Breast Cancer Genes in Brunei Breast Cancer Patients
  • Salivary IL-1β and Exosomal miRNA as Potential Biomarkers for Oral Cancer

published 14/07/2022
last updated 16/08/2022

The main equipment under MCB and Genetics facility are as follows:

Flow Cytometer:

The BD Accuri® C6 is a digital basic flow cytometer, equipped with a Blue (488nm) and a Red (640nm) lasers, two light scatter detectors (FSC and SSC), and four fluorescence detectors. Applications include DNA content analysis, immunophenotyping, apoptosis, cell cycle, gene expression analysis, kinetic analysis of cellular responses, microbial counting, and intracellular cytokines.

Genetic Analyzer:

The 3500 8-capillary platform can run a wide variety of applications —including de novo sequencing and resequencing (mutational profiling)—as well as microsatellite analysis, MLPA™, LOH, MLST, AFLP® and SNP validation or screening. The majority of applications can be run on a single polymer and capillary array. The 3500 Series Data Collection Software integrates seamlessly with several downstream software packages to provide comprehensive analysis of genetic data.

Imaging System for gel electrophoresis:

For imaging and documentation of gels and chemiluminescence western blots.

Microscope:

The 90i microscope is ideal for fluorescent and/or bright-field images of whole tissues and small organisms.

PCR Systems:

The 7500 Real-Time PCR System is a powerful platform which allowsgene expression analysis, pathogen quantitation, SNP genotyping, isothermal and +⁄– assays utilizing internal positive controls. Pre-formulated, ready-to-use, quality-tested, TaqMan® assays from Applied Biosystems® are available for the 7500 system.

The Applied Biosystems® Veriti® 96-Well Thermal Cycler has six independent temperature blocks that provide precise control over your PCR optimization. The color touch screen simplifies setup and use of the Veriti® 96-Well Fast Thermal Cycler. Optional setups for fast or standard PCR methods provide flexibility to shorten PCR cycling times. The Veriti® 96-Well Thermal Cycler is equipped with a standard 0.2 mL block configuration.

Spectrophotometers:

The BioTek Epoch 2 microplate spectrophotometer enables UV-Vis absorbance measurements. Measurements can be performed in 6- to 384-well microplates, cuvettes, and in microvolume samples with the available Take3 microvolume plate. The broad wavelength range enables applications from nucleic acid and protein quantification in the low UV to microbial growth assays higher wavelengths. Applications include cellular and microbial growth analysis, ELISA, micro-volume analysis of nucleic acid and protein as well as kinetic assays

The NanodropTM One allows quantification and qualification of DNA, RNA, and protein samples in seconds with only 1-2 µL of sample, and provides full-spectral data before users decide to proceed with downstream applications. Powerful auto-range pathlength technology facilitates accurate measurements for concentrated samples with no need for dilutions.