Research Newsletter - Issue 98: Spotlight
DCU’s Imaging and Flow Cytometry Core: the open access resource supporting key research in the Life Sciences
The Life Sciences Research Facility (LSRF) and the Nano Research Facility are home to the university’s Imaging and Flow Cytometry Core. This open access resource, developed and managed by DCU Core Technologies, includes fluorescence and electron microscopy, and flow cytometry.
Specifically within the LSRF, updates to the existing fluorescence microscopes and two new systems now support research across a range of different disciplines.
Tracking Cell Death
Professor Tia Keyes, School of Chemical Sciences
Professor Tia Keyes’ (School of Chemical Sciences) research centres on precise analysis of the tetrad structures. The structures play a key role in telomeres, the repetitive DNA structures located at each end of our chromosomes, which protect the genetic code within the chromosome. “The telomeres act as roadblocks, protecting the DNA sequences against being separated or pairing with other loose DNA ends.” Each time a cell divides some of the telomere is lost. When they become too small to perform their function, the cell is no longer able to reproduce and dies. It can also lead to cells becoming diseased or even cancerous.
Professor Keyes was involved in bringing new equipment into the Life Sciences Research Facility, and the fluorescence microscopes are central to her work. Using this equipment, Prof. Keyes and her team use light to track the process of cell death in live sample cells as brought about by trial therapeutic compounds, and to engage these compounds which are activated by light.
These compounds can cause cell death by shutting down the mitochondria, the site of biochemical reactions and source of energy, and therefore stop the spread of harmful mutations in a method known as phototherapy.
“Using this equipment we can track the mechanism of death.”
In the new year, further incoming equipment will allow Keyes’ team to further examine the downstream effects of these compounds and the metabolic effects of their use. Prof Keyes’ work is currently funded through an Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Award.
Identifying the Origins of Life
Dr Sean Jordan, School of Chemical Sciences
Dr Sean Jordan (School of Chemical Sciences) uses a range of equipment within the microscopy core in his work examining fossils and soil samples. His research seeks to identify the origins of life on earth by examining ancient fossils which are several billion years old, as well as artificially generating structures in the lab that look like they may have been produced by life. His team uses electron microscopy to examine micro fossils at scale. “It is important to get down to that scale to examine morphology and texture of these samples.”
“The core facility is a great model, as this equipment is difficult to maintain and run. By pooling the cost we can ensure everyone has access.”
The core facility is open access, so it also allows researchers or private companies to pay for time using the equipment.
The microscopy equipment also allows Dr Jordan and his team to conduct elemental analysis of the interactions between organic and inorganic agents, such as carbonates and silica, in their samples.
Finally, Jordan’s team also examines cryogenic liquid samples at high resolution. In these experiments, cell membranes are in liquid and then gradually dried down. By tracking the changes in these cell membranes during this process, Jordan and researchers can deduce how they lived.
Dr Jordan’s work is funded through an ERC Starting Grant, as well as Research Ireland funding. Both Dr Keyes and Dr Jordan are members of the DCU Life Sciences Institute.
These are just two of the examples of ambitious and impactful research projects facilitated by the equipment within the Imaging and Flow Cytometry Core. There are a multitude of applications across a wide range of disciplines within the Life Sciences. There is also designated support available: all microscopes are situated in a dedicated microscopy lab and all instrumentation is supported by technical officers. These officers also provide training for new users, and they assist with consultations on techniques and methods to get the most out of the instruments.
More information on the facilities available can be found on the Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Core website. Please email research.facilities@dcu.ie if you have any queries.