+56 2 2328 1398
RIVAS PARDO LAB
Mechano-Biology Group
THE LAB
We are located in Huechuraba Campus on the first floor of the Science Building. We share the physical plant with Professor Sebastián Reyes, head of the Immunogenomics group. Together, mechanobiology and immunogenomics groups, we form the Microbe Genomics Laboratory. Currently, we are working together to find out about the secretion and adhesion mechanism of multiple pathogenic bacteria.
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The lab includes several dedicated rooms, including a preparation sample room for animal models, cell culture room equipped with 21 ºC and 37 ºC CO2 incubator, microbiology and molecular biology independents rooms, implemented with laminar flow cabinets (BSL1). Also we have small machine shop, where we design and prototype pieces for our instruments. Finally, we have a space to host our single-molecule atomic force microscope, SOPHIA, which is onto an optical table to isolate the vibration of the building, and an acoustic case to eliminate noise and AC draft. Check below for more information.
MICROBE GENOMICS LAB
We are located in the first floor of the Science Building at Univ Mayor. We have four rooms for culturing and working with microorganism and cell lines. Also we have multiple equipments for DNA and protein purification including an AKTA FPLC, Epi-Documentation Gel station, two gradient PCR and a qPCR. Furthermore, in the two shared benches we have three microscopes for imaging samples and AFM cantilever mounting.
MJÖLNIR
AKA SOPHIA
The microscope is a custom made atomic force microscope designed for single molecule manipulation. Originally, the microscope was built at Fernandez lab (Columbia University) and moved to Chile in 2018. The microscope has the ability to apply calibrated forces on biomolecules, mimicking the mechanical force that molecules experienced within the cell. The AFM is called SOPHIA, "wisdom" in greek, but in the lab is also know by Mjölnir or Thor´s hammer.
STORMBRAKER
AKA "OPTIMUS"
During the last year we have been working to implement a new force spectrometer. Based on a previous Magnetic Tweezers design, we modified it to generate a low-cost 3D printed force spectrometer. The instrument is not operative yet, but already has a name Stormbreaker, AKA Optimus. Click for more details.
FORCET: OUR MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATION WORKSTATION
Although we have access to the High Performance Computing at CGB, we implemented a small station equipped with a GPU for accelerated computing. Mostly we used this workstation to run simulations and some other renderings required during the prototyping of pieces for our microscopes. In the lab, the computer is known as FORCET.
PROTEIN STATION
Coming soon
CENTER FOR GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS
CGB at Umayor
The Center was founded in 2010, becoming the first institution one Genomics in Chile. Currently CGB host a total of 9 investigators working on diverse topics including Plant Genomics, Biotechnology, Environmental Microbiology, Human and Animal Health, Genetics, Genomics, Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics.