The Core Facilities at CSCR host state-of-the art instrumentation to aid researchers both within and outside CSCR.
The Core Facilities provide expertise in sample processing and analysis and also help in experiment design. All facilities are accessible to not only scientists working full time at CSCR but also to all other scientists in CMC, Vellore who require these technologies / platforms for their work.
Flow cytometry
Description
Flow cytometry is a pivotal tool in stem cell isolation and their in vitro expansion procedure. Many intra and extracellular parameters can be analyzed and systematically evaluated with high speed and precision. The Flow Cytometry Core Facility currently houses following instruments:
Infrastructure
Scientific Officer : Dr. Sandya Rani
Technical Officer : Mr. A. Rajesh
Technical Staff : Ms. J. Saranya
Faculty Support : Dr. Sanjay Kumar
I. FACS Aria III:

The BD FACSAria III sorter is a superior multicolor performance, and legendary ease-of-use that opened the complex world of cell sorting to a broader audience of researchers and wider range of applications. A patented flow cell with gel-coupled cuvette and patented octagon and trigon detection system allow the system to achieve unrivaled sensitivity and resolution. BD FACSAria III cell sorter with a 5 laser 11 colour setup. The BD FACSAria III system has a throughput of 70,000 events per second and can do 4-way sorting and single cell sorting. Wavelength choices include 561-nm (Y/G), as well as the 488-nm (Blue), 633-nm (Red), 405-nm (Violet), and 375-nm (UV) lasers.
II. FACS Celesta:

BD FACS celesta is a multi-laser flow cytometer with 3 laser and 12 colour setup for delivering high sensitivity and performance. All configurations have blue (488-nm) and violet (405-nm) lasers, which has been paired with a yellow-green (561-nm) laser, for your application needs.
III. FACS Calibur:

The BD FACS Calibur platform allows users to perform both cell analysis in a single benchtop system. This has 2 lasers, 488nm (Blue) and 633nm (Red), 4 colour system and is routinely used for intracellular and surface markers analyses.
The Flow Cytometry core aims to conduct regular workshops related to multicolor flow sorting and cell analysis for human resource development in state-of-the-art flow cytometry techniques and provides support to various departments in selecting appropriate antibodies panels and experimental designs. An offline workstation with a FlowJo license is also available and networked for data sharing and post-acquisition data analysis.
Imaging
Description
The imaging facility at the CSCR presently has state of the art DMI 6000 fully automated inverted microscope with a motorized focus and stage.
This, along with a motorized filter wheel for Hoechst/ DAPI, FITC and Texas Red and a high-resolution DFC290 digital camera allow real-time multi-label image acquisition in multi-dimensions. The microscope is coupled to the AF 6000 system with dual monitors for fast image acquisition and processing. Post-acquisition processing can be carried out on the AF 6000 software suite, which includes the Deconvolution, 3D Visualization, Colocalization and Dye Finder modules.
The MZ16FA stereomicroscope is a fully motorized, automated, fully apochromatic fluorescence stereo microscope with a four-set filter wheel. It is equipped with a camera, and has computerized controls for the filter changer, zoom, focus, UV shutter, and double iris shutter, with a zoom of 16:1, and a magnification of 115X, and a resolution of 849Lp/mm.
It will be used for microdissections with regular and fluorescent embryos among other applications. Individual labs are equipped with DMIL inverted microscopes. In addition, the M651 surgical operating microscope, trinocular research microscope, and two BME binocular microscopes are available.
Infrastructure
Scientific Officer : Dr. Sandya Rani
Technical Officer : Mr. A. Rajesh
Faculty Support : Dr. Saravanabhavan Thangavel
I. Inverted Fluorescence Microscope

The Leica DMI6000B is an inverted fluorescence microscope comprising of 6 interchangeable filters for detecting various fluorochromes. It has two independent cameras – DFC295 for high resolution bright-field imaging and DFC360 FX for high frame rate fluorescence imaging. It is also equipped with a fluorescence intensity manager and programmable function keys for easy access to functions.
II. Light Microscopes

Leica DMIL (upright) and Leica DMI1000 (inverted) are available for users to perform routine light microscopy imaging. Both microscopes are provided with an interchangeable Leica DFC290 camera for high resolution bright-field imaging. The Leica DMI1000 is also installed in the tissue culture facilities of individual labs and the Core tissue culture area.
III. Inverted Fluorescence Microscope

A Carl ZiessAxiovert 40 CFL equipped with 3 filters (DAPI, FITC and TRITC) for routine fluorescence imaging is available, along with a ProgRes C3 camera module for image acquisition.
IV. Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope System

The Olympus FV1000 confocal system comprises a motorized microscope with z focus drift compensation facility for bright field, differential interference contrast and fluorescence imaging with motorized XY scanning stage and CO2 incubation facility for live cell imaging. It is equipped with the following lasers - 405nm, Multi-Argon (458nm, 488nm and 515nm), 559nm and 635nm. Apart from regular confocal imaging, this microscope can be used to perform Multi- Area Time Lapse, FRET, FRAP, FLIM and diffusion experiments.
V. Laser scanning multi photon microscope (Olympus FV1000MPE).

The FV1000MPE is an upright multiphoton laser-scanning microscope coupled with a Mai Tai HP-Deep See–OL laser with automated broadband wavelength tuning from 690 to 1040nm for deep tissue imaging.
VI. Training Sessions
The Imaging Core Facility conducts training sessions regularly for both first time and experienced users. The training sessions comprise of specifically designed modules which include theory and practical sessions. The final authorization is given to the user upon successfully completing the required modules. The hands-on training sessions are tailored to the specific application requirement of each user so that they get the maximum benefit out of these systems. Apart from in-house training, the imaging core organizes sessions by application specialists from Leica and Olympus. Till date, 2 sessions for the Olympus FV1000 confocal microscope and 3 sessions for the Leica DMI6000B were conducted.
Molecular Biology
Description
The Molecular Core Facility is actively involved in providing the high end molecular biology services for the users (in house and off campus). The facility currently has a 3130 4-capillary DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems), Quant Studio 12K Flex and 6K Flex Real-time PCR machines (Applied Biosystems) for high throughput analysis.
Many departments from CMC,Vellore and outside use this core facility extensively. The molecular biology core also aims to collaborate with people outside CSCR to share expertise and knowledge on platform development and augmentation.
Infrastructure
Technical Officer : Mr. A. Rajesh
Technical Staff: Ms. J. Saranya
Faculty Support : Dr. R. V. Shaji
I. Genetic Analyzer:

Genetic Analyzer 3130 is a 4 capillary series system with Electroosmotic flow suppression polymers (EOF). This system gives you all the advance automation with hands free operation and superior performance. This system provides compatibility with the existing application software systems, long-term reliability, automated polymer delivery system, enhanced thermal control, and optimized for multiple application.
II. Real-Time PCRs:

QuantStudio 12 K Flex system is designed for maximum throughput, outstanding flexibility with 5-interchangeable blocks, scalability and user friendly. This system is widely used in gene expression analysis, SNP genotyping, copynumber analysis, digital PCR technology, Micro RNA and other noncoding RNA analysis.
QuantStudio 6 K Flex system facilitates high-throughput analysis with 2-interchangeable blocks. This system is commonly used for PCR applications such as gene expression, gene regulation, gene variation and protein expression.
Radioactivity Core Facility

The Radioactivity Core Facility provides researchers a secure access to radiolabelled isotopes and instrumentation for detecting radioactivity. The facility currently has Greiger counters, GE Storm 365 Phosphor imager and a Perkin Elmer Tricarb Liquid Scintillation Counter.
Histopathology
Infrastructure
Technical Staff: Mrs. Esther Rani and Mr. Ashok Kumar
Faculty Support : Dr. Noel Walter
Special stains standardized:
1.Histology Special Stains:

Alcian Blue, Perl’s Prussian Blue Iron Stain, Periodic Acid Schiff, Masson Trichrome, Gordon Sweet Reticulin, Acid Fast Bacillus stain for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Toluidine Blue, Masson Fontana, Verhoeff’s elastic stain, Sirus Red stain, Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Safaranin-O, Elastic van Gieson, Paraffin blocks and tissue mounting, Unstained slide sections for specific immunostaining.
2.Cytology:

Cytospin preparation, Cell block preparation, Cryostate sectioning.
Radio Isotopes Lab
Description
We recently obtained the approval (AERB/RSD/Res-Plan/TN-01/2009)from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board to use radioactive materials in our center, we have thus established a dedicated facility to handle alpha and beta radioisotopes. This facility is equipped with following detection and quantification equipment.
Liquid scintillation counter (Perkin Elmer - TriCarb 2810TR) to detect the concentration and the half-life of the radioisotopes. Phosphor Imager (GE - Storm 865) to read the radiation exposed screens. GM-counter (Ludlum) a handheld detector to detect the spill.

Dr. Sandya Rani B
Scientific Officer
Mr. Rajesh A
Technical Officer
Ms. Saranya J
Technician
Mr. Abdul Muthallib
Technician
Dr. Shaji R.V
Faculty Support
Dr. Sanjay Kumar
Faculty Support
Email : cscrcore@cmcvellore.ac.in
Phone : 0416-307-5123/5101