Science Building

Science Building

About

The research core facilities in the Science Building, which began operating in the summer of 2024, are an extension of the Life Sciences Core at the University of Toronto Mississauga [Link to Xin’s Life Sciences Core page]. While the main facilities are located in the Davis Building, the Science Building facilities are accessible to faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate research students. To better serve the UTM community, additional equipment will be introduced over time.

  • Cell and Molecular Biology Facility: Equipped with basic and advanced tools for DNA, RNA, and protein research. 
  • Cell and Tissue Culture Facility: Provides shared resources for conducting cell and tissue culture experiments 
  • Autoclave and Research Resources Facility: A full-service hub for autoclaving, lab-ware washing, and lab coat cleaning, and more, ensuring seamless research operations.  

 

 

Services

The Science Building houses our three facilities: Cell and Molecular Biology Facility, Cell and Culture Facility, and Autoclave and Research Resources Facility. Please find details below on equipment, training, locations and access, as well as how to book with us. 

About the Facility

The Cell and Molecular Biology Facility provides users with an introduction tour; hands-on training on individual equipment — which is mandatory for certain equipment; technical support on equipment operations; and technical support for troubleshooting experiment results related to the use of core equipment. 

We provide flexible, 24/7 T-Card access to our facility rooms: 

  • SB2052
  • SB2056
  • SB2109
  • SB4056

     

Training

PIease ensure that all core facility users who work with biological agents take the following three online courses from U of T's Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) website

  • General Health and Safety Awareness (EHS 002) 
  • WHMIS and Lab Safety (EHS 101)
  • Laboratory Biosafety (EHS 601)

Contact Quang Huy To, Research Facilities Manager, to set up equipment training.

 

Booking Equipment

Equipment must be booked in advance through BookitLab, our online booking system. Please log in to reserve your spot. 

 

Facility Equipment

NameBrandModelLocation

Ultra centrifuge Optima XE-90 - NSB2052 - unit 1 

Beckman 

Optima XE-90 - A94471 

NSB2052 

Ultra centrifuge Optima XE-90 - NSB2052 - unit 2 

Beckman 

Optima XE-90 - A94471 

NSB2052 

High speed centrifuge Avanti JXN-26 - NSB4056 - unit 1 

Beckman 

Avanti JXN-26 

NSB4056 

High speed centrifuge Avanti JXN-26 - NSB4056 - unit 2 

Beckman 

Avanti JXN-26 

NSB4056 

Dry Baths - Block Heaters - NSB2052 

Fisher 

Digital Dry Baths/Block Heaters 

NSB2052 

Sonic Dismembrator - NSB2052 

Fisher 

Fisherbrand™ FB120 

NSB2052 

Benchtop centrifuge with refrigeration - NSB2056 

Eppendorf 

5810R 

NSB2056 

Fridge  - NSB2056 

Fisher 

FBV20RPSA 

NSB2056 

Microbiological Incubator - NSB2056 

Fisher 

Fisherbrand™ Isotemp™  

NSB2056 

Refrigerated Shaker - NSB2056 

Fisher 

MaxQ™ 8000 

NSB2056 

Benchtop Orbital Shaker - NSB2056 

Fisher 

Solaris 4000 R 

NSB2056 

About the Facility

The Cell and Tissue Culture Facility provides users with a mandatory introduction tour; hands-on training on individual equipment; training on cell culture with viruses; customized cell culture technique training; technical support on equipment operations; and technical support for troubleshooting experiment results related to the use of core equipment. 

We provide flexible, 24/7 T-Card access to our facility rooms: 

  • SB2058
  • NS4058
  • SB4059

     

Training

Training is mandatory for all users. To request training, please contact the Core Managers.

PIease ensure that all core facility users who work with biological agents take the following three online courses from U of T's Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) website

  • General Health and Safety Awareness (EHS 002) 
  • WHMIS and Lab Safety (EHS 101)
  • Laboratory Biosafety (EHS 601)

 

Booking Equipment

Equipment must be booked in advance through BookitLab, our online booking system. Please log in to reserve your spot. 

 

Facility Equipment

NameBrandModelLocation

Biosafety Cabinet - NSB2058 - unit 1 

Nuaire 

NU-540 

NSB2058 

Biosafety Cabinet - NSB2058 - unit 2 

Nuaire 

NU-540 

NSB2058 

Fluid Aspirator - NSB2058 - unit 1 

Brandtech 

BVC Basic 

NSB2058 

Fluid Aspirator - NSB2058 - unit 2 

Brandtech 

BVC Basic 

NSB2058 

Pipet Filler S1 - NSB2058 - unit 1 

Fisher 

S1 

NSB2058 

Pipet Filler S1 - NSB2058 - unit 2 

Fisher 

S1 

NSB2058 

CO2 Incubator - NSB2058 - unit 1 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB2058 

CO2 Incubator - NSB2058 - unit 2 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB2058 

CO2 incubator shaker - NSB2058 

Eppendorf 

S41i 

NSB2058 

Benchtop centrifuge  - NSB2058 

Eppendorf 

5810 

NSB2058 

Microscope Nikon ECLIPSE TS2-FL - NSB2058 

Nikon 

TS2-FL 

NSB2058 

Fridge with top -20C Freezer - NSB2058 

Fisher 

FBV18CPSA 

NSB2058 

Waterbath - NSB2058 

Fisher 

ISOTEMP 10L 

NSB2058 

Biosafety Cabinet - NSB4058 - unit 1 

Nuaire 

NU-540 

NSB4058 

Biosafety Cabinet - NSB4058 - unit 2 

Nuaire 

NU-540 

NSB4058 

Fluid Aspirator - NSB4058 - unit 1 

Brandtech 

BVC Basic 

NSB4058 

Fluid Aspirator - NSB4058 - unit 2 

Brandtech 

BVC Basic 

NSB4058 

Pipet Filler S1 - NSB4058 - unit 1 

Fisher 

S1 

NSB4058 

Pipet Filler S1 - NSB4058 - unit 2 

Fisher 

S1 

NSB4058 

CO2 Incubator - NSB4058 - unit 1 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB4058 

CO2 Incubator - NSB4058 - unit 2 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB4058 

CO2 Incubator - NSB4058 - unit 3 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB4058 

CO2 Incubator - NSB4058 - unit 4 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB4058 

Benchtop centrifuge  - NSB4058 

Eppendorf 

5810 

NSB4058 

Microscope Nikon ECLIPSE TS2-FL - NSB4058  

Nikon 

TS2-FL 

NSB4058 

Fridge - NSB4058 

Fisher 

FBV20RPSA 

NSB4058 

Waterbath - NSB4058 

Fisher 

ISOTEMP 10L 

NSB4058 

Biosafety Cabinet - NSB4060 - unit 1 

Nuaire 

NU-540 

NSB4060 

Biosafety Cabinet - NSB4060 - unit 2 

Nuaire 

NU-540 

NSB4060 

Fluid Aspirator - NSB4060 - unit 1 

Brandtech 

BVC Basic 

NSB4060 

Fluid Aspirator - NSB4060 - unit 2 

Brandtech 

BVC Basic 

NSB4060 

Pipet Filler S1 - NSB4060 - unit 1 

Fisher 

S1 

NSB4060 

Pipet Filler S1 - NSB4060 - unit 2 

Fisher 

S1 

NSB4060 

CO2 Incubator - NSB4060 - unit 1 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB4060 

CO2 Incubator - NSB4060 - unit 2 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB4060 

CO2 Incubator - NSB4060 - unit 3 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB4060 

CO2 Incubator - NSB4060 - unit 4 

Fisher 

Steri-Cycle 

NSB4060 

Benchtop centrifuge  - NSB4060 

Eppendorf 

5810 

NSB4060 

Microscope Nikon ECLIPSE TS2-FL - NSB4060 

Nikon 

TS2-FL 

NSB4060 

Fridge - NSB4060 

Fisher 

FBV20RPSA 

NSB4060 

Waterbath - NSB4060 

Fisher 

ISOTEMP 10L 

NSB4060 

About the Facility

The Autoclave and Research Resources Facility provides users with mandatory hands-on training on our autoclaves and glassware washer; technical support on equipment operations; and technical support for troubleshooting experiment results related to the use of core equipment. 

We provide flexible, 24/7 T-Card access to our facility rooms: 

  • SB2050
  • SB2064
  • SB2067
  • SB2147
  • SB3056
  • SB4056

There is a lab coat washer and dryer for use. During individual lab emergencies, we provide emergency use of space at no charge for a 5°C fridge, -20°C freezer, and -80°C freezer.

 

Training

PIease ensure that all core facility users who work with biological agents take the following three online courses from U of T's Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) website

  • General Health and Safety Awareness (EHS 002) 
  • WHMIS and Lab Safety (EHS 101)
  • Laboratory Biosafety (EHS 601)

Contact the Core Manager to set up equipment training.

 

Booking Equipment

The autoclave machines, glassware washer, incubation oven, and lab-ware washer need to be booked through BookitLab, our online booking system. Please log in to reserve your spot. 

 

Facility Equipment

NameBrandModelLocation

Ultra Freezer -80°C 

Eppendorf 

CRYOCUBE F740HI 

SB2052 

Ultra Freezer -80°C 

Eppendorf 

CRYOCUBE F740HI 

SB4056 

MilliQ Water Purification System  

Fisher 

EQ7000 

SB2050 

Autoclave - 250LS  

Steris 

Amsco Lab 250LS 

SB2050 

Autoclave - 250LS  

Steris 

Amsco Lab 250LS 

SB2050 

Autoclave - 630LS  

Steris 

Amsco Lab 630LS 

SB2050 

Glassware washer  

Steris 

Reliance 400xls 

SB2050 

Ice maker  

CurranTaylor 

Scotsman 

SB2052 

Ice maker  

CurranTaylor 

Scotsman 

SB3056 

Ice maker  

CurranTaylor 

Scotsman 

SB4056 

Freezer room -20°C 

Labworks 

Labworks 

SB2067 

Cold room 4°C 

Labworks 

Labworks 

SB2064 

Cold room 4°C 

Labworks 

Labworks 

SB2147 

Incubation Oven 

Fisher 

Fisherbrand™ Isotemp™ 

SB2050 

Lab coat Washer-Dryer  

Maytag 

Commercial 

MNH33PRCWW2 

MDE28PRCZW3 

SB3050 

 

 

Fees

The following rates are applicable from July 1, 2024  to June 30, 2025.

 

Usage Fees

Core FacilityInternalExternal
AnnualHourly*AnnualHourly*

Cell and Molecular Biology  

$400**** 

 

$10 per hour per instrument 

Request a quote** 

$50 per hour, plus flat one-hour technician fee of $150 for training and support.***  

Cell and Tissue Culture  

$400 

$10 per hour per instrument 

Request a quote** 

 
Autoclave and Research Resources$100

Walk-in 5°C fridges: $2 per shelf or table bench per month 

Request a quote**

$50 per hour, plus flat one-hour technician fee of $150 for training and support 

Walk-in 20°C freezers: $2 per shelf per month 

Ultra-low freezers: $1 per rack per month 

*Hourly fee applies to users who do not pay the annual fee. Minimum 15-minute usage.

**Send a request to the Core Facility Managers.

***Special external rate for Freeze Dryer: $50 per hour for the first 24 hours; $10 per hour after the first 24 hours; plus a flat one-hour technician fee of $150 for training and support.   

****An extra $8 per hour will be paid for Microfluidizer LM20 starting from January 2024.

 

 

Training Fees

Item 

Internal 

External 

Training on individual instrument operation 

Free 

Flat one-hour technician fee included in hourly fee 

 

Life Sciences Core Facilities introduction 

Free 

Flat one-hour technician fee included in hourly fee

Customized-Basic cell culture technique training 

$525 plus consumables ( for one person or a group of three people) 

Request a quote

 

 

Service Fees

Item 

Internal 

External 

Technical support on Instrument operation  

Free 

Flat one-hour fee included in hourly fee 

Trouble shooting on experiment results that may relate to core facility equipment performance 

Free 

Flat one-hour fee included in hourly fee 

Core Facility Manager hourly rate (to perform experimentation for a lab) 

$40 

$150 

 

 

Contact

Science Building
1815 Outer Circle
Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6

→ View campus maps and directions

 

Meet the Facility Leads

Xin Zhao (she/her)
Life Sciences Core Facilities Manager
Tel. 416-970-3661
xin.zhao@utoronto.ca

 

Quang Huy To (he/him)
Research Facilities Manager, Science Building
Tel. 437-688-5973
quang.to@utoronto.ca

 

 

Q&A

Yes. Individual PIs pay an annual fee to use the facility, regardless of the number of members in their group. 

No. One annual fee grants access to the facility equipment located in both the W. G. Davis Building and the Science Building. 

Internal users who pay the annual fee are not charged hourly fees for individual equipment use, with a few exceptions. For instance, a monthly fee applies to shared fridges and freezers, and an hourly fee applies to the LM20.  

Internal users who only need access to one or two instruments and prefer not to pay the annual fee can opt to pay an hourly fee for individual equipment use. 

For the Cell and Tissue Culture Facility we ask that users use the lab room they are assigned to. Please discuss with our core managers if you would like to use biosafety cabinets and other equipment in another lab.  

For most of the equipment in the Autoclave and Research Resources Facility and Cell and Molecular Biology Facility, users can use equipment from both buildings, as long as training is obtained from core managers.