SFU is seeking a specified set of equipment to be used for hormone quantification. The equipment includes: (1) a microplate spectrophotometer, (2) a microplate strip washer compatible with the spectrophotometer plates/strips, (3) four 8-channel electronic pipettors, two each in the 30-300 mL and 100-1200 mL volume ranges; (4) a set of pipettors that will be dedicated to this work: two each of 0.2-2 mL;2-20 mL;20-200 mL; 100-1000 mL; and 1-10 mL; (5) a micro-centrifuge with 24-well rotor (that holds 1.5 and 2.0 ml tubes) and one with a rotor that holds microplates; (6) a low-profile vortex tube mixer, for sample processing; (7) a -80C freezer.
The spectrometer must handle 6-384 well microplates for a diversity of applications, and read from 200 to 999 nm in 1 nm increments. The system is preferred to exhibit incubation capabilities including control of condensation on plate lids. The spectrometer is also preferred to exhibit a touch-screen interface, with data analysis software integrated into the unit.
Research Overview:
The researcher requires the capability to accurately measure levels of neuropeptides, steroids, and other hormones, which are derived non-invasively (e.g., from salivary samples) and thus are present in very low concentrations for the neuropeptides oxytocin and arginine vasopressin, for example. Such low concentrations benefit greatly an instrument for quantification that exhibits temperature incubation, shaking capabilities, and other properties to optimally control conditions to which the samples are exposed. The ability to continuously adjust the absorbance wavelength is also highly advantageous in terms of being able to assay a wide range of hormones as new opportunities and subprojects develop. The research requires the spectrophotometer and set of related equipment for processing and storage of samples and plates.
