News

ULS Technology Seminar (Oct 25, 2017): Bio-Layer Interferometry

ULS is co-organizing a technology seminar with Pall Fortebio and Bio-Gene Technology Ltd. on the principle and applications of Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI). BLI has emerged as the leading technology for label-free and real-time biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA). Unlike traditional BIA technologies such as SPR and ITC that are time-consuming and low in throughput, BLI’s microfluidics-free, microplate based sample analysis method allows fast and accurate binding affinity and kinetics (KD, ka and kd) measurements in challenging sample matrices such as culture supernatants and lysates. The Dip and Read™ nature of BLI enabled high-throughput biophysical analyses of interactions between a wide range of biomolecules including proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, small molecules and large complexes such as viruses and liposomes. BLI data is frequently published in top scientific journals, appearing in over 2000 papers in the last 10 years. In this presentation, we will discuss about how BLI has accelerated our users’ research in: • Antibody discovery & development • Protein structure and function • DNA-binding proteins • Infectious diseases • Small molecule drug discovery Details of the seminar are as follows: Title: Bio-Layer Interferometry: A leading label-free technology for biomolecular interaction analyses and high throughput screening Date: October 25, 2017 (Wednesday) Time: 11:00 am Venue: Y715, Lee Shau Kee Building (Core Y), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Speaker: Mr. Terence Hui (Field Application Scientist Manager USA, Pall Fortebio) For enquiries, please contact Clara Hung (clara.hung@polyu.edu.hk or 3400 8056). All are welcome!

Laboratory Tours and Workshops from July to September, 2017

ULS Workshop - Zeiss Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscope

Light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) is a novel imaging technique that allows researchers to obtain optical sections of large biological samples with virtually no phototoxicity at unprecedented speed. The Zeiss Lightsheet Z.1 system which is available at the University Research Facility in Life Sciences (ULS) will be open for online booking in October. The ULS is organising two identical workshops to demonstrate the sample preparation procedure and imaging using zebrafish larva, and to allow users to gain hands-on experience with LSFM. The details of the workshops are as follows: • Date: 22nd September, 2017 (Friday) • Time: 10 am to noon (session 1) and 2:30 to 4:30 pm (session 2) • Venue: Y405, Lee Shau Kee Building (Core Y) If you are interested in the workshop, please email Dr. Michael Yuen and provide your name, department, contact number and preferred session. You are also welcome to contact Michael if you would like to discuss whether LSFM is suitable for your research.

ULS Seminar: Andor Dragonfly High-speed Confocal Imaging System

The ULS is co-organising a seminar with Andor Technology Limited seminar about the Andor Dragonfly high-speed confocal imaging system. Details of the seminar are as follows: Date: 20th September, 2017 (Wednesday) Time: 3:00 to 4:00 pm Venue: Y716, Lee Shau Kee Building (Core Y) Speaker: Mr. Jacky Xiaowei Deng, Head of Sales (China), Andor Technology Limited Abstract: High Speed Confocal Microscope System - Andor Dragonfly It’s more than Confocal. The Andor Dragonfly allows you to image at unrivalled speed and sensitivity, meanwhile, still gentle enough for live cells. Employing a multi-point confocal system, the Dragonfly can capture at speeds at least 10x faster than conventional confocal technology, making it the optimal solution for live cell imaging or fast volume acquisition of thicker samples. Designed with patented perfect illumination delivery technology, Borealis, exceptionally flat and uniform illumination across a large field of view allows the Dragonfly to use of the newest large sensor sCMOS and EMCCD cameras to satisfy high-throughput imaging needs.

Visit by Prof. Chris Brink (former Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University)

ULS Training Workshop: How to Use Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) Better?

ULS is co-organising a two-day training program on the applications of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) with Malvern Instruments Ltd. It will discuss recent advanced ITC applications and share experiences on using ITC in different research areas. Details of the training workshop are as follows: Day 1: Technology Seminar and Training Workshop Title: How to Use Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) Better? Date: September 26, 2017 (Tuesday) Time: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Venue: Y716, Lee Shau Kee Building (Core Y), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Speaker: Dr. Peiwei Han (Bioscience Business Development Manager, Malvern Instruments Ltd) Day 2: Hands-on Training Session Date: September 27, 2017 (Wednesday) Time: Session 1 (9:30 am - 12:30 pm) Session 2 (2:30 pm – 5:30pm) Venue: Y729, Lee Shau Kee Building (Core Y), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Speaker: Mr. Tim Han (Service Engineer, Malvern Instruments Ltd) *Registration is required for attending the training workshop. Please register via the following link by Sep 25, 2017: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/mysurvey/index.php/472751

Advanced gene expression workshop co-organized with Roche Diagnostics (Hong Kong) Limited

Visit by Prof. Liu Hong (Yuegong-1 Chief Designer)

ULS Seminar: Introduction to Agena MassArray Nucleotide Mass Spectrometer

The ULS is co-organising a seminar with Agena Bioscience to introduce the Agena MassArray nucleotide mass spectrometer and its applications. It will focus on the basic principles, applications and data analysis for the MassArray Analyzer 4 system in the ULS. Details of the seminar are as follows: Title: Introduction to Agena MassArray Nucleotide Mass Spectrometer and its Applications Date: 14th July, 2017 (Friday) Time: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Venue: Room Y715, Core Y

Launch of the online booking system phase 2

The following phase 2 equipment will be available for online booking from 1st July, 2017: Agena Bioscience MassARRAY Analyzer 4 System Roche LightCycler 480 II Real-time PCR System Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-time PCR System Zeiss Lightsheet Z.1 Microscope Perkin-Elmer IVIS Lumina Series III Pre-clinical In Vivo Animal Imaging Systems Nikon N-SIM/N-STORM Super-resolution Microscope FUJIFILM VisualSonics Vevo LAZR Multi-modality Imaging Platform Seahorse XFe24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer Malvern MicroCal PEAQ-ITC Automated Ultrasensitive Isothermal Titration Calorimeter Bio-Rad Bio-Plex 200 System Existing users may access the ULS online booking system to book for these equipment from 1st July, 2017. Prospective users should contact the equipment-in-charge for the procedure to apply for access to the equipment.