Biophysical Characterization Facility

  • managed by PART
  • facilitates the acquisition of high quality biophysical data
  • supports hands-on use and data interpretation by trainees
Atomic force microscope
Nanowizard_iom

Provides microscale characterization of surfaces.
Funded by the CFI.

Calorimeters
IMG_2706

Isothermal titration and differential scanning calorimeters characterize the thermodynamics of molecular interactions.
Funded through the NSERC RTI program.

Circular dichroism spectropolarimeter
CD

Circular dichroism spectropolarimetry can probe the structure and chemistry of both small molecules and proteins.
Funded through the NSERC RTI program.

Fermentor
IMG_2796

For high-yield recombinant expression of proteins.
Funded by the NSERC I2I program.

Fluorimeter
IMG_2711

This provides time resolved fluorescence and polarization measurements for samples.
Funded through NSERC RTI and the DMRF Capital Equipment Grants.

Infrared microscope
IRspec

This microscope can acquire infrared spectra to characterize the composition and structure of materials. Funded through NSERC RTI.

Langmuir-Blodgett trough
trough+spec

For measuring the surface tension and surface pressure of samples and depositing molecules onto surfaces. 
Funded by a DMRF Capital Equipment Grant.

Light scattering instrument
IMG_2712

This equipment can characterize particle size and shape.
Funded through the NSERC-RTI program.

Lyophilizer
Lyophilizer

This is used to freeze dry samples.
Funded by a DMRF Capital Equipment Grant. 

Microscale thermophoresis instrument
MST

This instrument uses fluorescence to characterize intermolecular interactions.
Funded by the NSERC RTI program.

SEC-MALS
SEC-MALS

This instrument couples size exclusion chromatography to a light scattering detector to characterize the the size and shape of biomolecules. 
Funded by the NSERC RTI program.

X-ray diffractometer
XRD2

This instrument uses X-rays to determine atomic resolution structures of biomolecules
Funded by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust.


We also have access to infrastructure through the Dalhousie Research CORES facilities and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Research Resource.