RESEARCH
Group infrastructure
The laboratory has a long-standing interest in the biosynthesis, regulation, and manipulation of isoprenoids, particularly the natural pigments known as carotenoids. These compounds include nutritional and industrial carotenoids such as astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, lycopene, phytoene and apocarotenoids.
GROUP
Metabolomics
State-of-the-art analytical suite has been established with complementary MS platforms; 2x LC-accurate mass Q-TOF-MS/MS (Agilent IM-6560, Agilent iFunnel 6550), serving both metabolomic and proteomic applications and LC-QQQ-MS (Agilent 6470) for accurate quantitative analysis. For protein preparation the multiple Ultra- centrifuges (Optima XE, Beckman Coulter) and protein purification (BioRAD) with a range of complementary columns. The laboratory has dedicated Qiagen PCR and RT-PCR equipment include digital (droplet) PCR (BioRAD OX200).
The group has dedicated analytical apparatus; GC-MS (x3), GC-FID, HPLC-PDA (x2), HPLC-PDA-radiodetector, UPLC-PDA, real-time PCR machines and digital PCR. Plant growth facilities include glasshouses, controlled tissue culture room for transformations, chambers and polytunnels.
UHPLC and HPLC- PDA – Carotenoids / Isoprenoids geometric and stereo isomers
Preparative HPLC-PDA – Preparation of authentic standards
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (four units) Metbolite profiling (polar & nonpoloar) AMDIS libraries
6560 LC / QTOF-MS-Ion Mobility– High resolution and accurate mass (Metabolomis). Un-targeted metabolomics (chemical fingerprinting), discovery systems, targeted LC-MS.
6545 – LC / QTOF – MS High resolution and accurate mass. Lipidomics & proteomics.
LC- triple quadrupole MS. High Sensitivity – Phytohoromes, absolute quantitation.
SPME – GC / MS – Volatiles (Volatome)
MALDI – TOF /TOF – MS
Primary and secondary metabolism..
> 5,000 metabolites
INFRASTRUCTURE
Molecular Biology
For protein preparation the multiple Ultra- centrifuges (Optima XE, Beckman Coulter) and protein purification (BioRAD) with a range of complementary columns. The laboratory has dedicated Qiagen PCR and RT-PCR equipment include digital (droplet) PCR (BioRAD OX200).
