From supporting rooms to specialised platforms, CBMA features a high quality infrastructure in our laboratories at the Biology Department and IB-S. These shared resources are collectively managed, with the support of our Laboratory Staff, and represent a cornestone for RESEARCH and TRAINING activities.
Molecular Genetics
Dedicated aseptic rooms provide a stringent environment for DNA and RNA isolation and purification, whereas preparation and running of PCR occurs in separate rooms. This platform is dedicated to molecular fingerprinting, (e)DNA metabarcoding, and ancient DNA.
Cultures of Living Organisms
Microbial, plant and animal models are pivotal to study biological processes at multiple organization levels and exploring their biotechnological potential. Microbial collections at the Department of Biology and CBMA are unique and offer an array of possibilities for biotechnological or screening purposes.
Radioisotopes
This facility is fully equipped for working with radio-labelled compounds, following safety standards. It is especially suited to enable biochemistry and functional studies of plasma membrane transporters. The access to this facility is restricted to authorized users only.
Animal Cell Lines
Animal cells provide consistent and reproducible model systems for studying the various cellular processes. Cell lines derived from human, rat and mouse from different sources are routinely used in 2D and 3D cultures for a wide range of in vitro studies, including drug screening and human exposome investigations.
Spectroscopy and Image Acquisition
These supporting rooms are equipped with multifunctional systems for the image acquisition and analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins. Flow cytometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy are also available.
Proteomics
This laboratory allows in-gel proteome separation by 2D gel electrophoresis and respective digital analysis. This allows the study of protein levels, protein interactions and complexes, as well as the detection of isoforms and protein modifications. This platform is suitable for high-throughput screening of proteome dynamics in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
High-Throughput Screening
This platform is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for high throughput technologies, including a liquid handling robot, reagent dispenser, and laminar flow hood, with access to downstream quantification equipment, including an automated multimode microplate reader, HPLC and flow cytometer. It is especially suited for chemical genomics and bioprospecting studies. Access to this laboratory is restricted to authorized users only.
Microorganism manipulation
Specialized rooms for the manipulation of various microorganisms are available. They are equipped with biological safety chambers as well as laminar flow chambers to enable researchers to manipulate sampled microorganisms from different sources, such as environmental, pathogenic and laboratory isolates.
Microscopy
Microscopy is an essential research tool for structural and functional analysis of various models, from microorganisms to animal or plant cells. Available equipment provides resources for light microscopy (brightfield or fluorescence), including confocal laser scanning, as well as support for image analysis.
Supporting Rooms
Various rooms serve as support platforms for common laboratory procedures. These include chromatography rooms for the detection and purification of target molecules, temperature-controlled rooms for sample centrifugation, and weighing rooms equipped with precision and analytical balances and microbalances.
Marine Field Station
The Marine Field Station features an infrastructure with laboratories and supporting rooms as well as our boats, and it is located in Viana do Castelo. These facilities support studies in biodiversity monitoring and prospection, as well as training and outreach actions.
