Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Labs

The Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Labs is dedicated to characterizing host pathogens interaction and the role of the microbial communities in health and disease using state-of-the technologies to identify new targets for research. The core is to enhance the ability to deliver translational research and foster bench-to-bedside research collaboration between basic scientist and clinicians. 

Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Labs Information

The Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Labs were named after Nicole Perkins, Director of the Summit Foundation, who has been suffering from cystic fibrosis and is a spokesperson for the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. This facility would not have been possible without her continued support. We thank you, Nikki!

Services

  • Flow Cytometry Cell Analysis and Cell Sorting
    • Core stuff assisted or user-run flow cytometry on BD Canto2 and LSRII & cell sorting on Aria II
    • Assistance with development & optimization of cytometric techniques and methods
    • Software for data analysis (FlowJo X dongles and workstation)
  • Next Generation Sequencing
    • WGS of bacteria and viruses, 16S Amplicon Sequencing, RNA-Seq
  • Instruments for culturing aerobe & anaerobes & DNA Fingerprinting bacterial isolates
  • CyTOF Helios: Expected operational in early 2016

Key Areas of Research

  • Culturing and isolating of bacteria from samples & DNA ingerprinting of isolates
  • Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) bacteria & viruses on the MiSeq
  • 16S Amplicon Sequencing for Microbial Communities (Microbiome) on MiSeq
  • Flow Cytometry Analysis and Cell Sorting
  • Mass Cytometry on the CyTOF Helios

Select Publications

  • Halverson, T.W. et al., PLoS Pathog. 2015 Jan 15; 11 (1)
  • Byaih, AB et al., PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014 Dec 11; 8 (12)
  • Miyata ST et al., PLoS Pathog. 2013, Dec 9 (12)

Contacts

Karen K. H. Poon, PhD
Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases
Manager of the Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Labs
Labs: HSC 2580, 2896, 2590, Lab: 403.210.6853
Office: 403.210.7816
Email: kkhpoon@ucalgary.ca