4 NSU CORE RESEARCH FACILITIES Nova Southeastern University operates five fee-for-service facilities available to internal, as well as external, researchers. All are located within NSU’s Center for Collaborative Research on the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. Flow Cytometry Core Introduction: Flow cytometry provides extensive insight into the biological and physical properties of cells. As single cells flow past a laser or lasers within a pressurized solution, each is analyzed for visible light scatter and a broad range of fluorescence parameters. Wavelengths of light are converted into digital signals to relay measurements. A cell sorter purifies and collects samples for further analysis. Application: Characterization of cancerous cells, isolation and assessment of transgene expression in modified cells, and immune repertoire profiling are among the services. Technology: Principal assets include one analytic instrument (BD Fortessa X-20 SORP) and one sorting instrument (BD AriaFusion SORP). Technique: Flow cytometry facilitates fluorescence analysis and preparative sorting of both human and mouse cells to the BSL-2 plus level. Support: The core also provides data analysis support and operates workstations with FACSDiva and FlowJo software. Imaging Core Introduction: Cellular events can be captured as video in living animals or at more conventional rates as scans with high information density. Application: It advances investigations in neuroscience, biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, geosciences, physics, and other disciplines. Technology: Principal assets comprise a confocal microscope (Zeiss LSM 880), an inverted, automated imaging system (Life Technologies EVOS), and a high-content screening platform (CellInsight CX7). Techniques: Assistance with a range of light microscopic techniques and digital image analysis is available. Support: The core also provides microscopy training. Vivarium Core Introduction: NSU’s state-of-the-art Vivarium Core Facility is outfitted with Tecniplast Green Line IVC cages. Each room is equipped with temperature, humidity, and light controls. In addition, all holding rooms have VHP ports to maintain an SPF environment. The vivarium contains two separate holding areas: a barrier suite and a non-barrier suite. NSU’s animal care and use program is accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC). Application: Vivariums house and care for live animals, allowing researchers and their students to investigate biological and behavioral responses to stimuli and potential treatments for various cancers, Alzheimer’s Disease, infectious diseases, and more. Technology: The elements described above maintain a stable environment for the comfort and safety of the species who live and work in the lab. Support: NSU’s vivarium staff members provide daily husbandry of animals, facility maintenance, veterinary oversight, and technical assistance.
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