Dedicated equipment to facilitate drug discovery
GRIDD is located in two adjacent buildings housing biology and chemistry laboratories on the Nathan campus of Griffith University in Brisbane.
Explore our wide-ranging facilities, equipment and services below.
Our Unique Resources
NatureBank
Access NatureBank’s collection of more than 100,000 natural product fractions ready for screening against any disease.
Compounds Australia
Australia's only dedicated compound management facility, Compounds Australia connects chemists and biologists for drug discovery research.
Purpose-built research spaces
Our facilities include dedicated equipment and areas for:
- analysis of biota
- compound management
- high-throughput screening
- medicinal, natural product, combinatorial, synthetic and structural chemistry
- native state mass spectrometry suite
- cell and molecular biology
- in-vitro cell culture
- bioinformatics
- animal models of disease.
Shared facilities and cell culture areas
Our shared facilities include equipment for:
- high-performance liquid chromatography
- liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry
- advanced microscopy and image analysis
- histology and immunocytochemistry
- biochemistry
- electrophysiology
Our cell culture facilities are dedicated to in-vitro growth of human cells from patient biopsies, animal cells from animal disease models and infectious parasites.
Major equipment
GRIDD maintains a core of industry-standard drug discovery infrastructure.
Resources include:
- 4 mass spectrometers
- 2 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers
- automated liquid handling and dispensing equipment and analytical detection systems suitable for screening cell-based and cell-free assays by fluorescence, luminescence, colorimetric and radioactive technologies. High throughput imaging of cells is enabled by Perkin Elmer Opera and Operetta High Content confocal screening systems and an InCell Epifluorescent Cell imaging analyser
- high-throughput imaging and high content screening equipment including Perkin Elmer Opera and Operetta High Content confocal screening systems, and an InCell Epifluorescent Cell imaging analyser
- high-resolution microscopy, live cell imaging, and 3D image analysis
- 3D imaging enabled by an Olympus FV1000 confocal laser imaging system with spectral scanner, and Zeiss AxioImager Apotome Imaging system, and live cell imaging by Zeiss high-speed AxioObserver cell imaging system and an Olympus IX81 live cell imaging system.
Unique technologies
Read more about the world-class technology assisting our research
Mass spectrometry facility
The GRIDD MS facility is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments. These high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry instruments support a range of research projects focused on the study of proteins and complexes of protein with fragments, compounds and natural product extracts, known as bioaffinity mass spectrometry.
Bruker SolariX XR 12 Telsa ICR-FTMS
- ESI and captive ESI nano spray source.
- Chip-based ESI infusion is also possible with the available TriVersa NanoMate (Advion).
- High mass resolution >10 million (isotopic resolution)
- High mass range acquisition of up to 150 kDa
- MS/MS analysis with fragmentation techniques that include collision induced dissociation, electron capture dissociation and electron transfer dissociation.
Main applications:
- Advanced protein analysis including native protein analysis, quantification of protein/ ligand binding affinity, high throughput bioaffinity screening MS/MS analysis.
- Small molecule analysis.
- Complex mixtures, such as natural product extracts.
This equipment was purchased with assistance from an ARC LIEF grant.
Bruker MaXis II ETD UHR ESI QTOF
- ESI and captive ESI nano spray source with nanoBooster.
- High-Mass option facilities, easier characterisation of high-molecular weight species and native state protein complexes.
- Full sensitivity resolution of >80,000.
- MS/MS analysis with fragmentation techniques that include collision induced dissociation and electron transfer dissociation.
- Thermo Fisher Ultimate 3000 RS UHPLC is available for coupling.
Main applications:
- Small molecule analysis for HRMS measurement.
- Advanced protein analysis which includes native protein analysis, high throughput bioaffinity screening.
This equipment was purchased with assistance from a GURIP.
Low-resolution instruments
These include:
- Thermo Fisher Ultimate 3000 RS UHPLC-MSQ Plus Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer
- Waters ZQ-LCMS.
High-resolution accurate mass measurement service
GRIDD provides high-resolution mass measurement to determine the molecular formula of chemical entities as a service for Griffith researchers and external organisations.
The sample submission form and guidelines are provided below.
- Sample submission guidelines (PDF, 46Kb)
- Sample submission form (PDF, 90Kb)
Contact facility manager Dr Wendy Loa for details and quotes to use this service.
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry
The GRIDD NMR facility is equipped with cutting-edge instruments, including a Bruker Avance III HDX 800 MHz with cryoprobe and a Bruker Avance III HD 500 MHz. The facility supports the investigation of molecular structures of small molecules.
These instruments were funded in part from a 2013 Australian Research Council LIEF grant, with installation completed in mid-2015. The 800 MHz NMR is part of the NMR regional network for South-East QLD and Northern NSW, which features five universities: Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, University of New England, University of the Sunshine Coast and Southern Cross University.
Bruker Avance III HDX 800 MHz spectrometer
Features include:
- cryoprobe technology for optimal sensitivity
- Triple (TCI) Resonance 5 mm Cryoprobe 1H&19F/13C/15N/2H
- a SampleJet automatic sample changer (can hold up to 579 samples)
- BCU2 unit for variable temperature.
Main applications:
- metabonomics
- structural investigation of small molecules
- analysis of very small quantities of material.
The 800 MHz is mainly used by the Institute’s natural product discovery groups.
Bruker Avance III HD 500 MHz spectrometer
Features include:
- BBFO Smartprobe, 5 mm 31p-109Ag, 19F/1H with Z-gradient and automatic tune and match
- SampleCase automatic sample changer
- BCU2 unit for variable temperature.
Main applications:
- structural confirmation of synthesised molecules
- structural investigation of small molecules
- variable temperature experiments.
The 500 MHz is primarily used by the Institute’s synthetic chemistry groups.
Access
Subject to availability, the GRIDD NMR facility is open to all Griffith University users, with access available via an online booking system.
Users receive training and an operator license from the facility manager, Dr Wendy Loa, after which they run their own NMR experiments. Dr Loa also supports users in NMR data acquisition and processing. Sample submission is fully automated and the NMR data is emailed to the user.
External users
The GRIDD NMR facility offers structural elucidation services to external organisations and companies. Contact facility manager Dr Wendy Loa for details and quote