• Electronics Workshop
• Technical Workshop

Electronics Workshop

The electronics workshop was set up originally to provide the specialist expertise for the development of X-ray crystallography instrumentation. Since then, however, it has expanded enormously both in size and in scope, developing a wide range of skills to support the requirements of the Lab's scientists. It is now probably the most capable electronics workshop of any UK biology laboratory.

In-house skills encompass the full range of currrent electronic techniques, from programmable logic to Peltier heat-pumps, from robotics to electrophysiological controllers, and from computer interfaces to vision systems.

The workshops can adapt existing equipment, or design and construct complete systems from scratch. Examples of the many hundreds of projects undertaken over the years include a photomultiplier system for long-term monitoring of circadian gene expression in cells and tissues, optical and control systems for confocal microscopy, and a complete custom robotic system for high-throughput genomics. Others include thermal imaging systems for monitoring animal activity, advanced sensors for integration into microfluidic chips, and a miniature thermal stage for micro-scale PCR. X-ray crystallography is still well represented, with the development of advanced high-resolution image plate scanners.

Custom software, particularly for instrument control and interfacing, is also developed for both PCs and Macs. Many of these projects are undertaken hand-in-hand with the Technical Workshop. Like all of the LMB's resources, the Electronics Workshop is there to serve the researchers, and its skills are at the disposal of all members of the Lab from Ph.D. students to group heads. The Workshop's staff represent a wide range of skills, from software to hardware, and are always ready to discuss new projects, helping to develop an initial idea into a fully-functional piece of equipment.

Technical Workshop

The technical workshop was originally set up to design and build the X-ray generators and detectors for crystallographic studies. Today, it is one of the most sophisticated engineering departments in the biological sciences, and undertakes a huge range of work.

The workshop provides a wide range of experience and expertise, enabling it to design and produce specialist equipment that is not commercially available.

Extensive use is made of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD-CAM) which, combined with the experience of the workshop staff, and our ability to work with any material - from Teflon to titanium - means that almost any challenge can be met, from a new electron microscope stage to a microtome for taking ultra-thin brain sections.

Often working closely with the Lab's electronics workshop, the technical workshop can help scientists to develop their ideas from an initial wish to a fully-functional piece of equipment.

The free access of all LMB scientists to the workshop staff means that design, protyping and development can happen far faster than is possible using outside contractors, as is the case in most other laboratories.

The high standard of the workshop's design and engineering, coupled with the challenges set by the Lab's scientists, has led to the commercial development of many projects started at the LMB. Indeed, many of the items now found in labs around the world, from gel tanks to confocal microscopes, have started life in the LMB workshops.

Repairs and quick ‘day job’ projects are undertaken on demand to ensure the smooth running of the Laboratory and a speedy service to the scientists. Technical advice and project feasibility discussion is always available and visitors to the workshop are welcome.