Laboratory of Molecular Biology applied to Animal Health and Production

Of a multidisciplinary nature, this molecular biology laboratory supports the corresponding research groups in molecular characterization, application to bacterial isolates, nutrigenomics in ruminants, genomic analysis in ruminants (transcriptome, whole genome association studies, determination of the genetic basis of fertility and characterization of the microbiome), studies of polymorphisms associated with traits of economic interest in livestock species, and determination of molecular markers of meat quality.

Among other techniques, this laboratory has the necessary equipment to carry out the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), which allows in vitro amplification of DNA fragments and their subsequent analysis and interpretation, with high analytical sensitivity and specificity. For this purpose, it is structured in independent areas maintaining a one-way workflow without backtracking.

The available equipment is as follows:

Pre-PCR area: preparation room for reagents (DNA-free):

• Two real-time thermal cyclers for PCR amplification of DNA sequences: BIORAD CFX96TM Real Time System with CoolBox computer and 7500 Real Time PCR System Applied BiosistemTM with Dell computer.
• Hybridization oven: ECOGEN
• Laminar flow cabinet

PCR and post-PCR areas:

• Nanophotometer for DNA measurement in small concentrations. IMPLEN
• Four conventional thermal cyclers:
  • GeneAmp^® PCR System. Applied Biosystems
  • MyCycler™ Thermal Cycler. Bio-Rad
  • Mastercycler^® Gradient. Eppendorf
  • Biometra T3000 Thermocycler (3 bloques independientes)
• Gel Doc™ 2000 imaging system with Molecular Imager® FX™. Bio-Rad
• Hybridization oven. Ecogen
• Nucleic acid extraction system: ABI PRISM™ 6100 Nucleic Acid Prep Station. Applied Biosystems
• Multiple electrophoresis sources with cuvettes of various sizes:
  • BIO-RAD GT horizontal electrophoresis cuvettes (Bio-Rad wide Mini-Sub®Cell GT, Bio-Rad Mini-Sub®Cell GT and Maxigel. Apelex).
  • Three electrophoresis sources: Bio-Rad PowerPac™ 200 (with 4 outlets)
  • Two horizontal laminar flow cabinets
• Gas extraction cabinet: OR-ST 1500. Burdinola
• Sample shredder: Tissuelyser II. Qiagen
• Two microcentrifuges
• Vacuum evaporation system: miVac Duo Concentrator. Genevac™.
• Centrifuges: Centrifuge 5810. Eppendorf and Multifuge 3SR Plus.
• Water purification equipment: Ultramatic (type 1 and 2). Wasserlab
• Miele thermodisinfector.
• Two microscopes and a binocular magnifier.
• Two autoclaves: Mod 437-G. Selecta and Presoclave II. Selecta,
• Three ovens (Heraeus, Indelab Memmbert)
• Two -80ºC freezers
• Other standard laboratory equipment

At the animal molecular genetics level, a Workstation is available for massive NGS and array analysis.