Analytical Instruments

Bioresearch Support Core

Analytical instruments

Bio-Rad QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System

The QX200 allows extensive partitioning of nucleic acid samples into thousands of nanoliter-sized droplets, followed by well-controlled PCR amplification and accurate end-point data acquisition. This third-generation PCR technology enables absolute quantification of target DNA copies per input sample without the need for running standard curves, as well as eliminating errors due to suboptimal amplification efficiency. It is highly sensitive and accurate for the detection of rare (mutation) targets and enables precise copy number variation determination.

Applications:

Absolute quantification of target gene expression
Rare mutation/variant detection
Copy number variation studies
Pathogen load detection

Detailed configuration – QX200 ddPCR System

Standard Operation Protocol – QX200 ddPCR System

Location: L6-01 & L6-03, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road
Staff-in-charge: Ms. LAU, Jasmine | 3910 3571 | bioresearch.cpos@hku.hk

Roche LightCycler480 II Real-time PCR

Roche LightCycler 480 includes interchangeable 96-well and 384-well thermal blocks for high-throughput real-time PCR experiments. Built-in Therma-Base technology provides rapid and accurate temperature adjustment with exceptional well-to-well temperature homogeneity. The advanced optical system allows robust and accurate simultaneous capturing of all data from the wells.

Applications:

Qualitative target detection
Relative quantification of gene expression
High-resolution melting curve mutation analysis

Detailed configuration – LightCycler480

Standard Operation Protocol – LightCycler480

Location: L6-01, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road

Staff-in-charge: Ms. LAU, Jasmine | 3910 3571 | bioresearch.cpos@hku.hk

Agilent Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer

A metabolic analyzer to measure and interrogate mitochondrial oxidative respiration and cellular glycolysis.

Using patented label-free detection technology to measure Oxygen Consumption Rate and Extracellular Acidification Rate in living cells, the Agilent Seahorse XF Analyzer enables quick and easy real-time evaluation of cellular bioenergetic activities to allow better understanding of metabolism in normal cells as well as in a wide variety of diseases. The Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer allows high-throughput assays in a 96-well format for efficient study of complicated experiments, including extensive cell/treatment comparisons or detailed dose-response analysis.

Applications:

Metabolic phenotype characterization of cancer or other diseases
Studying the effect of genetic manipulation on cell energy production and metabolism
Immune cell activation profiling
Drug screening

Standard Operation Protocol – Agilent Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer

Location: L6-01, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road
Staff-in-charge: Ms. KWOK, Alice | 3917 9442 | bioresearch.cpos@hku.hk

BMG CLARIOstar Plus

A multifunction plate reader with advanced options and comprehensive accessories. High-End Multi-Mode Microplate Reader with high-efficiency Linear Variable Filter (LVF) Monochromators™, 2 reagent injectors, and an Atmospheric Control Unit. With advanced options in detection parameters, component movement (focusing, sample mixing), and incubation control, it can meet most of the needs in today’s high-throughput cell-based assays.

Applications:

Measuring absorbance (220 – 1000 nm)
Measuring fluorescence intensity (ex 320-750 nm, em 350-850 nm, including FRET)
Measuring luminescence, including BRET
Measuring time-resolved fluorescence (µs), Bioluminescence, and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET/FRET)

Standard Operation Protocol – Plate Reader

Location: L6-01, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road
Staff-in-charge: Ms. KWOK, Alice | 3917 9442 | bioresearch.cpos@hku.hk

Cytiva Amersham Typhoon5 Biomolecular Imager

A 4-in-1 multifunctional image scanner with 5 high-power lasers and photomultiplier tubes (PMT).

Typhoon5 is a multifunctional image scanner with 5 high-power lasers designed for versatile imaging and precise quantitation of fluorescent, colorimetric, and radio-labeled proteins and nucleic acids. Signals are captured by highly sensitive photomultiplier tubes, giving Typhoon5 a detection limit as low as 3 pg of protein. Typhoon5 allows high-throughput scanning of up to 20 gels/membranes and 9 multi-well plates. Multiple stages are also available to accommodate various types of samples (animal tissue, gel, membrane, plate, dish, slide, phosphor screen…).

Applications:

Fluorescence, optical density, and phosphor imaging scanning of multiple sample types (e.g., blots, gels, dishes, plates, slides, tissues…)
Fluorescent Western blot
Assay detection
Microarray slides

Detailed configuration – Cytiva Amersham Typhoon5 Biomolecular Imager

Standard Operation Protocol – Cytiva Amersham Typhoon5 Biomolecular Imager

Location: L5-03, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road

Staff-in-charge: Ms. LAU, Jasmine | 3910 3571 | bioresearch.cpos@hku.hk

Cytiva Amersham Imager 680 Blot and Gel Imager

Sensitive imager for chemiluminescence and colorimetric signal capture.

AI680 is equipped with a Peltier-cooled Fujifilm Super CCD and a superior Fujinon™ lens, which allow high sensitivity and high-quality imaging of chemiluminescence signals from Western blots. With inbuilt analysis software, intensity and molecular weight analysis can be measured instantly.

Applications:

Detection of chemiluminescence signals from Western blots
Imaging of colorimetric stained gels

Detailed configuration – Cytiva Amersham Imager AI680

Standard Operation Protocol – Cytiva Amersham Imager AI680

Location: L5-03, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road
Staff-in-charge: Ms. LAU, Jasmine| 3910 3571 | bioresearch.cpos@hku.hk

Edinburgh Instrument FS5

Edinburgh Instrument FS5 is an analytical spectrofluorometer designed to meet the high measurement specifications in analytical research. Equipped with single photon counting technology, dual grating turret monochromators, and a near-infrared detector, the FS5 offers optimal performance with high detection sensitivity, resolution, and acquisition speed with an unmatched signal-to-noise ratio. The system includes a plug-and-play temperature-controlled module for liquid samples and a solid sample holder for powder/crystal samples. It enables users to perform various UV-VIS spectral quantifications of chemicals.

Applications:

Fluorescence scan (Excitation, Emission Scan)
Transmission scan
Spectral map
Kinetic scan

Detailed configuration – Edinburgh Instrument FS5
Standard Operation Protocol – Edinburgh Instrument FS5

Location: L5-03, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road

Staff-in-charge: Ms. KWOK, Alice | 3917 9442 | bioresearch.cpos@hku.hk

Apply Training Online Booking

Extended services

Bruker AVANCE III 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer

(Service provided by the Department of Microbiology)

Bruker Avance III 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer is a high-resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance system equipped with a high-sensitivity broadband inverse probe. Coupled with a SampleXpress autosampler and state-of-the-art TopSpin 3.1 software, the system offers fully automated sample loading and NMR data collection to maximize sample throughput. Over 300 1D, 2D, and 3D NMR pulse programs are implemented with the system to allow a wide range of applications such as:

Small molecule qualitative and quantitative analysis
Structure determination of organic molecules and small peptides
Small molecule sample or mixture purity determination
Metabolomics studies on urine, serum, tissue, and cell samples
Ligand-observed NMR (WaterLogsy and STD-NMR) experiments for drug library screening and drug target identification and characterization

Detailed configuration – AVANCE 600 NMR

Location: L6-27, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road
Staff-in-charge: Mr. LAI Pok Man Ivan (Microbiology)| mednmr@hku.hk | 3917 9023 |

For sample submission, please fill in the online sample submission form

Spectrometer usage charge and manpower for sample preparation: $400/hr

***New Pricing Notice Effective from 1st August 2025:***
Service charge will be changed to $500/hr for sample submitted on or after 1st August 2025.
Deuterated solvents (D2O, DMSOd6, CDCl3, MeOD): $20/50ul
NMR tubes (3mm / 5mm diameter): $60/tube

IMPORTANT! PERSONS WITH CARDIAC OR OTHER MEDICALLY ACTIVE IMPLANTS, E.G. HEART PACEMAKER, MUST NOT ENTER L6-27.
THE SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNET MAY ALSO CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO MECHANICAL WATCH, MAGNETIC TAPES AND DISCS, AND MAGNETIC CREDIT CARD

Analytical Instruments