Facilities

The Center for Ecogenomics is a leader in research related to, and pioneers the development of microfluidic devices for molecular analysis and multiparameter, single-cell physiological monitoring. Our state-of-the-art laboratory and fabrication facilities are equipped to produce these lab-on-a-chip devices and work with the cells, nucleic acids and other biological materials we investigate in the miniaturized labs we design and fabricate. Visitors to the Biodesign Institute will view the Center for Ecogenomics immediately upon entering the main visitors’ entrance in Building B. Our laboratory space is located across a central hallway from the offices. The office space is located in close proximity to cubicle quads used to assemble interdisciplinary teams of biologists, chemists, engineers, post-doctoral fellows, students and technical staff. This centralized and contiguous office and laboratory infrastructure promotes a dynamic research environment where researchers can interact with each other and with students at will. The laboratory space is designed to optimally partition work activities, cleanliness levels, and workflow patterns. The main, open laboratory space accommodates four work zones:

  1. Bioanalytical microsystem assembly and device test.
  2. Quantitative analysis instrumentation and biological sample preparation.
  3. Robotic systems for high-throughput preparation and analysis of biological samples.
  4. High-precision microfabrication and novel biomaterials fabrication and patterning.

Adjacent to the main, open laboratory space are a suite of controlled-access laboratory rooms, each equipped with specialized, dedicated equipment and utilities. These rooms and their functions are:

  1. HEPA-filtered rooms for photolithography and microfabrication with an emphasis on sensor integration and microfluidic sample preparation and analysis systems.
  2. HEPA-filtered rooms for component part sterilization, plasma cleaning and surface activation, and device assembly.
  3. Fabrication of electronic subsystems; printed circuit board (PCB) population, assembly and test; and general electronics support hardware development.
  4. Sample preparation and wet chemistry.
  5. High-end optical systems development, 2-photon microscopy and microfabrication technology.

To support laboratory operations, a main equipment corridor contains manufacturing facilities and biological tools for storage and centrifugation: CNC milling machine, CO2 laser microfabrication system, injection molding press, heated platen press, 4° C refrigerators, -20° C and -80° C freezers, cryogenic storage system, and refrigerated centrifuges.

Adjacent to the equipment corridor, but having separate workflow pathways to facilitate maintenance of sterility and cleanliness, are biological and fabrication facilities: Chemical storage and an instrument prototype fabrication facility are located on one material/workflow pathway; cell culture, confocal live cell microscopy and high-end optical analysis of single cell arrays are located on the other.

The Center for Ecogenomics maintains:

  • Instrument and electronic fabrication shops. The experimental fixture and prototype development facility provides high-precision lathe and digital milling machines, drill press, disk and belt sanders, bench grinder, part layout granite plates, and materials inventory of polymers, glass, metals and composites. The electronics shop is equipped for PCB production in standard and surface mount formats with stereo microscope, soldering stations, board holders, component pick and place vacuum chuck, solder paste dispenser, board preheaters, reflow oven, a full complement of ribbon cable, wire, and connectors and mats and antistatic discharge controls.
  • A baseline complement of light sources, filters, lenses, detectors (SiPD, PMT), and optomechanical breadboard components suitable for exploratory investigations and feasibility studies.
  • A dedicated facility for complex, hybrid microanalytical systems integration including high-precision miniature CNC milling and UV and CO2 laser microfabrication capabilities, thermal embossing and fusion capabilities, and a highly-flexible facility for uniform surface activation using glow plasma discharge to enable robust integration of multiple components and materials into hybrid analysis modules.

Sophisticated cleanroom microfabrication facilities maintained and operated by the DOD-funded Flexible Display Center for photolithography, wet chemical etch, metal layer deposition, and surface passivation coating are located within easy commuting distance from The Biodesign Institute and are available for our use. More information is available at http://flexdisplay.asu.edu/.

Also available on a cost center basis, the Arizona State University Center for Solid State Electronics Research is a 30,000 sq. ft. facility located in the Engineering Research Center on the main Tempe ASU campus within easy walking distance of The Biodesign Institute. This facility offers advanced microfabrication and characterization capabilities including Class-10,000 to Class-100 clean rooms. The laboratory supports the processing of integrated circuits, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), microfluidic, micro-optic and sensor devices on 3" and 4" diameter substrates. More information is available at http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/csser/.

Major Equipment in the Center for Ecogenomics

Microscopy and micro-optical analysis:

  • Nikon multi-mode confocal microscope system consisting off a LiveScan SFC confocal, Spectral C1si confocal, and Perfect Focus TE2000E2 inverted microscope with TIRF accessories: This microscope system enables the acquisition of high-resolution fluorescence images of cells or cell structures in three dimensions in real time, as well as total internal reflection microscopy capability.
  • Nikon Perfect Focus TE2000E2 inverted fluorescence microscope with phase-contrast Xenon excitation, Sutter Smart Shutter and excitation and emission filter wheels.
  • Nikon TE2000 fully-motorized inverted fluorescence microscope.
  • Two Nikon TS-100F inverted cell culture microscopes with high-resolution, five-megapixel color cameras.
  • Two Nikon SMZ-1500 stereo epifluorescence and bright-field microscopes.
  • Nikon L100D upright inspection microscope.
  • Photometrics Cascade II, Coolsnap HQ2, QuantEM and Cascade 128+ and Andor iStar and iXon cameras.

Automated micro-sample preparation and molecular biological analysis:

  • Four ACAPELLA-5K automated capillary-based sample preparation systems.
  • Two Idaho Technology RapidCyclers (for end-point PCR).
  • GeneAmp PCR System 9700.
  • Corbett Rotor-Gene 6000 qRT-PCR system.
  • Quixell cell transfer and selection system.
  • GenePix Professional 4200A microarray scanner.
  • 4-Laser Molecular Devices GenePix Professional 4200A array scanner.
  • Beckman DU530 UV/VIS spectrophotometer.
  • Packard Fluorocount fluorimeter.
  • Shimadzu RF-5301 spectrofluorophotometer with Hyper RF software.
  • Shimadzu UV-3600 PC spectrophotometer.
  • Solartron electrochemistry system.
  • Harrick plasma cleaner/sterilizers.
  • Safety cabinets, centrifuges, incubators, ovens and shakers.

Microfabrication:

  • Prazi II Apollo high-precision milling machine with digital readout.
  • XL-9200-MP120 Universal Laser Systems laser machining system.
  • MX high-precision CNC mill with automatic tool changer and high-RPM spindle.
  • YES-G1000 plasma cleaning/plasma etch/RIE/electron-free plasma treatment system.
  • Morgan Press model G-100T-4 injection molding system.
  • Branson model 2000 IW+ Integrated ultrasonic welding system.
  • Optical Associated contact aligner.
  • Laurell Technologies spin coaters.
  • Optical profilometer and micro-particle image velocimetry system.
  • Parylene deposition system.
  • UV laser microfabrication system.
  • Aurigin microarrayer.