The University of Southern Queensland has invested in significant research equipment and infrastructure to deliver an expansive and state-of-the-art molecular facility.
The lab allows for a range of diagnostics across numerous fields, particularly crop health research.
Key equipment includes:
- Illumina MiSeq Platform capable of short read sequencing to support research into metagenomics and whole genome sequencing of fungal isolates.
- Oxford Nanopore minION capable of long read sequencing to support research into whole genome sequencing.
- Biomek FXp Automated Workstation capable of automating liquid handling process for next generation sequencing or standard molecular procedures.
- Digital drop PCR for absolute quantification of target DNA copies with high precision and sensitivity and a low limit of detection.
- PIXL Precision Microbial Colony Picker a robotic colony picker that automates imaging, colony recognition, colony selection and picking.
- Microscopes currently used for taxonomic work on novel endophytic (e.g., from rainforest plant hosts) and mycorrhizal fungi (particularly the genus Serendipita).
- E600 Nikon fluoresce for characterising the mode of action of bioactive molecules isolated from the fungal endophytes.
