Analytical Laboratories

The analytical labs are designed and equipped to facilitate targeted and non-targeted identification and classification of all gene products, enhancement of these, and extraction of these. These gene products encompass transcripts, proteins and metabolites.

The analytical labs include the following:

  • Nutrigenomics Lab
  • Protein Characterization Lab
  • Pathology and Toxicology Lab
  • Microbiology Lab
  • Cell / Tissue Culture Lab
  • Quality Control (QC) Lab
  • Growth and Stability Chamber Unit.

The successful sequencing of the human genome will have a dramatic impact on the manner in which pharmaceutical or agri-food companies discover and develop new drugs or bio-active compounds for the prevention, management and cure of diseases or general maintenance of health. The research expertise and equipment at the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals will enable bio-active discovery programs to be based on the identification of the best targets for a particular disease by studying the products of gene expression – nucleic acids and proteins. Gene structure and function as it relates to expression of bio-actives in plants and animals can be determined, specifically:

  • Gene structure, function and regulation;
  • Gene expression profiling;
  • Gene / haplotype mapping and sequencing;
  • Biomarker development.

Consumers with different genetic backgrounds respond to nutrients and functional foods in different ways. The genomic laboratory and the Richardson Centre Clinical Research Unit combine to offer research capability in nutrigenomics, which is the interface between the nutritional environment and genetic processes. Nutritional genomics seeks to provide a molecular genetic understanding for how common dietary chemicals affect health by altering the expression and/or structure of an individual’s genetic makeup. Fundamental to this field is that the progression from a healthy state to an unhealthy state in an individual frequently occurs as a result of changes in gene expression or by differences in activities of proteins and enzymes and that dietary chemicals, directly or indirectly, regulate the expression of genomic information within an individual.

The Centre has capability and capacity to explore changes in bio-active expression and target site activity, which are essential for understanding performance and benefits of functional foods and nutraceuticals. The identification and measurement of peptides and proteins, particularly at the nanoscale level, will become a critical area of research due to their importance as potential targets for functional food / nutraceutical research. We have expertise and equipment for:

  • Extraction of bio-active molecules and compounds including supercritical fluid extraction;
  • Structure and function of bio-active molecules and compounds;
  • Bio-active composition analysis;
  • Target site activity and interaction with bio-active molecules and compounds;
  • Protein and peptide detection, isolation, fractionation and purification;
  • Protein and peptide identification and sequencing;
  • Gene / protein expression patterns.

Cell and tissue culture facilitates understanding of site and magnitude of expression of bio-active compounds, as well as elucidation of bio-active molecules and compounds on targeted cells and tissues. In addition to being a crucial tool for basic research into biological processes integral to developing functional foods and nutraceuticals, cell and tissue engineering has direct commercial applicability. Protoplast isolation and fusion and cell selection are germaine to the engineering and commercialization process. The Centre has two cell / tissue culture laboratories for cell and tissue culture equipped with:

  • Fermentors / bioreactors;
  • Biosafety cabinets;
  • Protoplast fusion;
  • Microscopy;
  • Cell sorting;

for complete in vivo analysis.

In order to be of maximum benefit to your organization, research will be conducted in lab facilities that are fully GLP compliant to ensure quality, reliability and reproducibility of results.

Analytical Equipment

Richardson Centre for Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals Equipment Usage Fees