Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Labs
The Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Labs are 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.
Our history
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!
Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Labs Information
Services
Flow Cytometry Services
- Consultation
- Are you interested in how flow cytometry and don’t know where to begin? Visit in person or email us to setup a free consultation. Consultation to discuss how flow cytometry can be applied to your research project.
- Training
- Training sessions for analyzers (BDFACSCanto, Cytek Aurora). Training covers Instrument overview, maintenance, QC operation and experimental optimization. Once trained, researchers can operate the instruments 24/7.
- Training for cell sorting on BDFACSDiscover S8 is coming soon. Please contact us if you’re interested.
- Full Service
- Full service cell sorting is available
- Data Analysis
- Flowjo software (dongle and site license) is available for analyzing flow cytometry data
- Cytek SpectroFlo dongles is available for analyzing data from Cytek Aurora
- Computer workstations is available in HSC 2590 for data analysis
Next Generation Sequencing Services
- Illumina MiSeq I100 Plus bench top sequencer for WGS of bacteria, viruses and 16Amplicon sequencing and RNA-seq
Key Areas of Research
- Cell sorting for enrichment, single cell RNA-sequencing, cloning, and other downstream protocols
- Flow Cytometry Analysis
- Culturing and isolating of bacteria from samples & DNA fingerprinting of isolates
- Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) bacteria & viruses on the MiSeq
- 16S Amplicon Sequencing for Microbial Communities (Microbiome) on MiSeq
Core Personnel
Karen Poon, PhD
Bruce Perrault
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
Manager and Application Specialist of the Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Labs since June, 2009. Dr. Poon obtained her PhD in molecular microbiology and B Sc in Biochemistry from the University of Calgary. She did a post-doctoral research in LPS biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the University of Guelph. Between 2006 and 2009, Karen worked as the manager for the Leukocyte Trafficking Molecular Core (LTMC), assisting various labs in molecular techniques. Since 2009, she worked in attained expertise in flow cytometry analysis and cell sorting applications, next generation sequencing of small genomes and 16S metagenomics on the MiSeq platform.
Specialization / Applications
Flow Cytometry: analytical and cell sorting applications
- Multicolor analysis
- Develop cytometry methods for bacteria
- Cellular kinetics and physiological cellular responses
- Cell cycle analyses (DNA, RNA content)
- Train clientele in the use of the instruments (BD FACSCanto-3 laser-4B-3R-3V; Cytek Aurora)
- Train clientele on the analysis of data as well as consulting on experimental design
- Cell sorting to recover a subset of cells from a sample. Cells can be deposited into tubes or 96-well plates for further analysis
Next Generation Sequencing on the MiSeq 100 Plus
- Library Preparation and QA/QC of Libraries for Sequencing
- 16S Variable PCR Amplicons Sequencing : Barcode Primer sets for V3-V4, V3-V5, V3-V6
- Sequencing on libraries on V3 and V2 MiSeq cartridges
Flow Cytometers
BD FACS Discover S8
Highlighted Specifications
- High speed sorting with real-time imaging
- 5 lasers
- 78 APD detectors paired with algorithmically optimized filter bandwidths covering the full spectrum
- Capable of analyzing 50+ parameters
- Up to 6 way sort
- Sort into slides or plates (single cell index sort)
- Full service sorting available, training for user operation coming soon
Cytek Aurora
Highlighted Specifications
- 5 laser configuration (16UV-16V-14B-10YG-8R)
- 64 channels for full spectrum detection
- Up to 40 colours for multiplexed analysis
- Up to 6 way sort
- Sort into tubes or multiwell plates
- Absolute cell count function
- Independent user operation or full service available
BD FACSAria IIIu
Highlighted Specifications
- 4 lasers (3V-2B-4R-3R)
- Up to 13 colours for multiplexed analysis
- Up to 4 way sort
- Sort into tubes or multiwell plates
- Full service sorting