Our Services

With the present expertise, top level instrumentation and the biological material collections, we are able to help you realize your project from the experimental design down to data analysis. Find detailed information about the services here:

Repository
Cell line Service
Cloning Service
Single Cell Genomics
Protein Expression & Purification Service
Robotics Automation Service

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Repository

Our repositories were created to facilitate the sharing of materials between scientists from the University of Freiburg and the University Medical Center Freiburg. We manage plasmids and cell lines and ensure quality control, MTA compliance, and efficient distribution.

Plasmid Repository

We maintain a comprehensive collection of plasmids and expression vectors. These are obtained exclusively from scientific sources and are relevant to signalling research.

All materials are thoroughly verified by restriction digests and sequencing of the insert (gene of interest).
For plasmids based on commercial vector backbones or containing protected elements, distribution is limited to within the University of Freiburg. We can assist in establishing direct contact with the Principal Investigator for such materials.

We also distribute single plasmid clones from:

Human ORFeome V5.1 Collection
Yeast ORF Collection
Mouse kinase shRNA Library

Cell Line Repository

We maintain a comprehensive library of authenticated mammalian cell lines, including human, mouse, rat, and hamster.

Human cell lines have been authenticated by STR analysis (DNA fingerprinting).
Other mammalian cells have been authenticated via sequencing of the species specific COI gene.

Fees and Regulation:

All material requests are covered by a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) between the recipient scientist and the Signalling Factory.
Materials are made available exclusively to academic and non-profit laboratories for research and educcational purposes. We do not transfer any material to commercial entities.
To maintain our high-quality standards and support the repository operations, we charge a nominal fee. This fee covers consumables and operating costs. Note: The transfer of material is not considered a “sale of goods” for any purpose.

For more detailed information, please refer to our User Guidelines and Terms and Conditions for the distribution of biological material

Get Started

If you are interested in our plasmid or cell line repository, contact us at: toolbox@bioss.uni-freiburg.de

Cell line Service

Our facility is equipped with a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) cell culture laboratory, which allows the use of most cell lines, including work with non-replicating viral vectors for gene delivery. We have the capacity for flexible culture conditions, accomodating different CO₂ levels and both adherent and suspension cultures.

Cell Banking

We offer professional cell line propagation and cryopreservation of your cell line. The service includes:

Mycoplasma testing
Authentification by STR analysis or COI gene sequencing.
Long-term storage below -150°C
Collection of relevant data in a database.
Distribution on request via our Cell Line Repository

Simplify your research by depositing your cells in our central repository for easy exchange and access.

Stable Cell Line Generation

Creating a stable cell lines is a complex and time-consuming process. Our team specialises in cell culture and genetic manipulation techniques. We work closely with you to develop cell lines that meet your specific research needs.

Our custom-designed service includes:

Overexpression or knockout (CRISPR-Cas9) of genes of interest
Subcloning into expression vector
- With our cloning expertise we can clone your gene of interest in a mammalian expression plasmid or lentiviral vector.
Stable expression in target cells
- Lentivirus packaging, production and transduction
Selection and expansion of positive clones via cell sorting and/or antibiotic selection.
Mycoplasma testing and cryopreservation

We deliver stable cell clones either cryopreserved or as vital cells, tailored to your needs.

If you are interested in using our cell line generation service, fill out the Service Request Form and email to toolbox@bioss.uni-freiburg.de

Cell Sorting Service

Our S3 cell sorter from BioRad is available for comprehensive cell sorting services. All sorting is carried out by our experienced team, ensuring high-quality outcomes and minimising the risk of operator error. We work closely with you to understand your specific sorting needs and provide expert guidance throughout the process.

Sorting features:

Dual laser system (488nm, 561nm)
Four fluorescent detectors plus forward and side scatters
Internalized fluidics and temperature control
Two-way sorting (single, purity, enrich)
Collection capacity of up to 5 x 5ml or 1.5ml sample tubes per direction

To use our cell sorting service, complete the Cell Sorting Request Form and email to toolbox@bioss.uni-freiburg.de

Note: Please reserve sorting times as early as possible to ensure availability.

Cloning Service

The Signalling Factory provides a professional cloning service for researchers at the University of Freiburg and the University Medical Center Freiburg. Our expert team handles the entire cloning process, allowing you to focus on your core research.

The Service Includes:

Cloning of your gene coding sequence into a wide range of expression vectors.
Verification of coding sequence
Preparation of plasmid DNA

Requirements:

Your plasmid should contribute to the research of signalling pathways
The new plasmid will be archived in the plasmid repository of the Signalling Factory for potential sharing with other scientists

Fees and Regulation:

To maintain our high-quality standards and support the Signalling Factory’s operations, we charge a fee for the cloning service. This fee covers consumables and operating costs. Upon receiving your request, we will provide a detailed cost estimate.

Important Notes:

The material transfer is not considered as a “sale of goods” for any purposes.
All service requests require an application form and a Plasmid Deposit Agreement between the recipient scientist and the Signalling Factory.

For more detailed information, please refer to our User Guidelines.

Get Started

Please fill out the Service Request Form and email to toolbox@bioss.uni-freiburg.de

Single Cell Genomics

Unlock the power of single-cell analysis with our 10x Genomics platform.

We help researchers uncover cellular heterogeneity, identify rare cell types, and study complex biological systems that are often masked in bulk analyses. From experimental design to data interpretation, our expert team supports your research.

Single cell genomics is particularly valuable for applications such as cancer research, immunology, and developmental biology, providing insights into gene expression, genetic variation, and regulatory mechanisms within diverse cell populations. Explore cellular diversity and discover novel insights in your samples.

Available assays

Single Cell Gene Expression
Single Cell ATAC
Single Cell Multiome (ATAC + Gene Expression)

Get Started

If you are interested in our service and want to collaborate with us, please contact us: toolbox@bioss.uni-freiburg.de

Protein Expression & Purification Service

There are typically five key steps in the process from deciding to purify a protein to obtaining the final pure product:

I. Selecting an expression system

II. Subcloning into an appropriate expression vector

III. Optimize expression

IV. Scallin gup protein expression

V. Protein extraction and purification

We understand that not all research groups have the expertise or equipment to perform each of these steps independently. This is where our facility comes in.

Our Expertise

We offer comprehensive support for both small and large-scale protein expression and purification projects. With our diverse expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure, we can assist you at any specific stage or manage the entire process from start to finish.

Expression Systems

Currently, we are specialists in two main expression systems for protein production:

Mammalian cell cultures are the system of choice for the expression of secreted and transmembrane proteins or if mammalian-specific post-translation modifications are required. We conduct protein expression in mammalian cell lines via plasmid transient transfection, stable cell line establishment, retrovirus or lentivirus transduction. We are able to use our fluorescent proteins and other expression tags for monitoring expression, or provide different drug-resistant genes if established cell lines are used for long term expression projects.

We have established the method for large scale transient transfection, which allows us production of some proteins at the level of several hundred milligrams per liter of suspension cells. Two autoclavable benchtop cell culture bioreactors could be used for scaling up the expression system. The CelliGen 310 (2.5 L and 14 L) can be operated in batch, fed-batch and perfusion mode independently of each other or connected in seri

For unknown proteins, we typically screen different strains of E. coli with our optimized vectors. Variable (auto)induction methods and purification schemes could be used to acquire desired protein amount. We have expressed and purified hundreds of cytoplasmic and periplasmic proteins in E. coli. This allows us quite often skip the optimization of protein expression and directly go for larger scale expression.

Using E. coli system, we can produce proteins at microgram to gram level. In the last case we usually culture cells at very high density (OD600 > 120) in feed batch mode in our 10 L BioFlo 415 Fermenter with final yield of bacterial pellet about 1.2 kg

These two systems allow us to cover many classes of proteins, including antibodies, enzymes, growth and transcription factors, chemokines, phytochromes and many others.

Get Started

Are you interested in our protein expression and purification services? Take the first step by filling out our Service Request Form. Once completed, please email it to toolbox@bioss.uni-freiburg.de.

Robotics Automation Service

Automation

Our Robotics facility operates two advanced Tecan Freedom Evo Liquid Handling Systems. These setups enables us to offer high-throughput, precise, and consistent liquid handling services to support your research.

We specialize in:

High-volume liquid handling
Iterative processing of liquids and suspensions
Customizable protocols for diverse scientific applications

Assay Development and Optimisation

We offer comprehensive assay development and optimisation services to accelerate your research efforts. Our expert team uses state-of-the-art techniques to design, improve, and run assays customised to your specific needs. We work closely with you to develop assays that deliver accurate, reproducible results.

Our laboratory is equipped to support a wide range of detection methods:

Absorption, fluorescence,luminescence
Fluorescence polarization
ELISA
FRET
HTRF
Alphalisa
Binding kinetics (IC₅₀, K_i)

Once your assay is optimised, our Robotics facility can efficiently perform high-throughput screening, delivering rapid and reliable results

High Throughput Screening

High Throughput Screening (HTS) has been used in drug discovery for primary screening of active compounds. Recently, this technology gained its popularity in the applied research and academia for iterative processes as well as screening. The number of screening might range of 10,000-100,000 per day.

To run an assay in a HTS format, some requirements are needed:

Specific
Robust and reproducible
High signal to background ratio
Sufficient throughput and low cost

An HTS work involved a step by step development from an early design of experiment, optimization to the transfer for automation.

Through the development and optimization, we can assure the screening to have a good quality of result, low cost and optimum time.

Get Started

Are you interested in our automation and assay development services? Take the first step by filling out our Service Request Form. Once completed, please email it to toolbox@bioss.uni-freiburg.de.

Please refer to Instrumentations and User Guidelines for more details.

A selection of research laboratories who collaborate with us in long-term projects are listed at our collaborators.