Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine capable of high throughput digital PCR and qPCR

Tender description

The University of Sheffield is out to tender on behalf of the Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease for a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine capable of high throughput digital PCR and qPCR. The Florey Institute within the University of Sheffield takes an interdisciplinary approach to anti-microbial resistance (AMR) and host-pathogen interaction research. The Institute is comprised of scientists and clinicians who work closely with the Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust (STH) to deliver high-impact fundamental and translational research outputs. We require an automated, high-throughput PCR machine to aid our gene expression studies. One of our research focuses involves measuring host gene expression changes in response to infection and this requires the measurement of large numbers of selected genes by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and/or real-time PCR (RT-PCR) on thousands of patient samples. In addition to this work, we also aim to use digital PCR to detect pathogens present at low copy number in patient and environmental samples. Initially the equipment may be housed in one in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital laboratories due to the pandemic (not all University laboratories are currently open and we may need to minimise staff movement between laboratories). It would therefore be an advantage if the machine could be moved to a different location at the University at a later date. It was originally intended to be housed in the NERC Biomolecular Facility and may still move there dependent on future discussions about space. The full technical specification can be found in the tender documentation which will be sent to you once you have expressed your interest. Tender Process and Documentation: This is a E.U. open exercise. The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing your interest on the University`s e-tendering system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield. If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend System, this can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield Completed tenders must be returned through the same e-tendering system. Closing date for receipt of tenders: Monday 6th July 2020 at 12:00 noon (UK time). OJEU contract notice reference - 2020/S 109-265776.