Internet address(es):

Main address: https://www.ku.dk

Acquisition of a C-Trap™ Fluorescent Microscope

The C-trap provides the user with the unique ability to hold and manipulate objects (in our case isolated DNA molecules or whole human chromosomes) whilst simultaneously imaging at high resolution not only the object, but also any other molecules added to the system (such a proteins).

C-Trap™ is the first and currently only truly correlative tweezers-fluorescence system combining 3 core technologies: multi-trap continuous-wave optical tweezers, multi-color widefield (and Interference Reflection Microscopy) microscopy and multi-channel laminar flow micro-fluidics.

The C-trap provides the user with the unique ability to hold and manipulate objects (in our case isolated DNA molecules or whole human chromosomes) whilst simultaneously imaging at high resolution not only the object, but also any other molecules added to the system (such a proteins). We intend to use the system for 2 applications:

(i) single molecule biochemistry using fluorescently labeled proteins and purified DNA molecules. These proteins typically will be DNA repair proteins that move along DNA, which we will image in real-time;

(ii) manipulation of whole chromosomes to measure their mechanical properties (and how this changes in human diseases) and to reproduce biological processes under controlled conditions using purified proteins — such as being able to separate metaphase chromosomes into their 2 constituent sister chromatids.

The Center for Chromosome Stability (CCS) is based in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen.

The mission of the CCS is to conduct basic research in order to understand in mechanistic detail how cells minimize DNA damage that can generate chromosomal instability

It is unique in its ability to simultaneously, correlatively and in real-time:

— manipulate (e.g.: stretch, move, bend) single molecules – such as DNA – with step sizes of less than 0,2 nm,

— use traps with an exceptionally high escape force (> 1 000 pN) and stiffness (up to 1,5 pN/nm), enabling effectively suppressing thermal fluctuations,

— measure the force on and length change of the molecule with an unparalleled resolution of < 0,1 pN and < 0,3 nm at 100 Hz, respectively, while bolstering best-in-class force stability (< 0,3 pN drift over 2 minutes),

— image interactions of multiple differently labeled proteins on the molecule with single photon sensitivity (widefield) or label free microtubule or chromosome detection with Interference Reflection Microscopy. This is combined with a unique combination of ultra-stable multi-channel micro-fluidics system with automated pressure-driven laminar flow and intuitive software, that enables an extremely constant flow-rate necessary for performing high-resolution single-molecule force-fluorescence measurements and greatly enhanced throughput.

Internet address: https://www.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk/klagenaevnet-for-udbud