Biofabrication Facility Utrecht

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The Biofabrication Facility Utrecht stands at the forefront of innovation in regenerative medicine. We specialize in creating functional tissues for biomedical research and development towards clinical applications, combining precision manufacturing with biological systems.

Our multidisciplinary approach integrates expertise from biology, materials science, engineering, and medicine to address the complex challenges of cell sensitivity and tissue maturation in controlled environments.
• Precise spatial control of cells and biomaterials
• Custom scaffold design for tissue-specific applications
• Controlled 3D-environments for cell growth and maturation
• Integration of signaling molecules for directed differentiation
• Collaborative research support and comprehensive training

Learn more about our projects.

Collaborations through the Biofabrication Facility, since its establishment in 2013, have resulted in a number of large national and international collaborative projects. In these projects, we are using 3D (bio)printing technology and living cells to create functional tissues for transplantation and for use as miniaturized models of health and disease, including those focussing on the regeneration of renal, cardiac, hepatic and pancreatic tissues and the innovative approaches in combining printing technologies and reinforcing living 3D tissue structures have gained widespread adoption in the field.

Instantie voor Dierenwelzijn Utrecht/Animal Welfare Body Utrecht

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Advisory tasks

The organisation and its staff advise on and make recommendations about:
• The use of animals in research and education and the ethical considerations involved
• animal welfare: acquisition, accommodation, caring for and properly using animals
• 3Rs methods and the transition towards animal-free innovation
• socialising and rehoming laboratory animals
• designing, conducting and reporting animal experiments: setup, statistics, preregistration, scientific quality, publication

Procedural support

Support with procedures, from idea to execution:
• working with applicants to align their project proposals with legislation and guidelines before submission
• consulting with researchers about conducting their experiments
• supporting researchers with changes in procedures
• establishing and monitoring compliance with procedures regarding animal welfare

Oversight

• We are the legal Animal Welfare Body for UU, UMC Utrecht and several smaller organisations that have a license to perform animal experiments. For these organisations, we oversee: laboratory animal welfare
• quality of research
• qualifications and competences of employees

Contact with government agencies

Acting as an intermediary and exchanging information with government agencies (CCD, NVWA, NCad) in:
• reviewing project licence applications
• reviewing non-technical summaries
• registering animal experiments
• retrospective evaluation
• modifications
• exemptions for permanent and guest researchers

More…

• stimulating and promoting a ‘culture of care’
• developing internal policy
• helping with initial and continuing education/training
• contributing to external policy and encouraging and influencing it
• connecting researchers, animal technicians and caretakers
• improving and respecting employee competences
• describing and monitoring responsibilities
• safeguarding a safe culture, acting as confidential adviser
• monitoring, implementing and facilitating developments
• communicating about animal experiments and policy on animal experiments
• encouraging openness and transparency

Animal Research Center (ARC), part of Poonawalla Science Park B.V. (PSP)

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The Animal Research Center (ARC) is a research and service facility operated by Poonawalla Science Park B.V. (PSP). ARC offers state-of-the-art laboratory animal facilities and technical expertise supporting academic, clinical, and industrial partners.

ARC supports:
• Preclinical research and translational studies
• Vaccine development and vaccine release testing
• Infectious disease and immunology research
• Contract research and fee-for-service studies

Key capabilities include:
• Housing and care of laboratory rodents under controlled and monitored conditions
• Performance of in vivo studies in compliance with ethical and regulatory frameworks
• Biosafety-level animal experimentation
• Study design, execution, and reporting support
• Technical and biotechnical services supporting research protocols

As part of PSP, ARC operates within a multidisciplinary life sciences environment that facilitates collaboration between academia, healthcare institutions, and industry partners. The facility operates under strict quality, animal welfare, and biosafety standards and collaborates closely with partners across Utrecht Science Park and international research networks.

Metabolism Expertise Centre

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Metabolism Expertise Centre (MEC) – Metabolomics & Lipidomics Facility

The Utrecht Metabolism Expertise Centre (MEC) is a research facility specializing in mass spectrometry–based metabolomics, lipidomics, and fluxomics. MEC supports researchers and industry partners by providing expert-driven analysis of cellular metabolism in diverse biological systems.

About MEC

Using state-of-the-art LC–MS technologies, MEC generates high-quality metabolite data and works closely with researchers to translate these measurements into biological insight.

MEC has extensive expertise (un)targeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and stable-isotope tracing (fluxomics) using multiple tracers (e.g. ¹³C, ¹⁵N). In addition, the facility develops custom assays and analytical methods, including targeted approaches tailored to specific biological questions.

MEC performs comprehensive analysis of a broad range of biologically relevant small molecules. Lipidomics analyses include major lipid classes, such as phospholipids, acylglycerides, sphingolipids, fatty acids and sterol esters. Metabolomic analyses cover central carbon and metabolism, including pathways such as glycolysis and TCA cycle, as well as amino acids, nucleotides and many additional metabolite classes. Fluxomics experiments enable direct assessment of metabolic pathway activity and dynamics, providing functional insight beyond steady-state metabolite levels.

MEC has particular experience in:
– Onco-metabolomics
– Immuno-metabolomics
– Drug resistance and mode-of-action studies

In addition, the facility supports a wide range of model systems and sample types, including cultured cells, organoids, tissues, and biofluids (plasma, serum, urine).

Services
MEC operates primarily as a collaborative research partner, while also offering fee-for-service access. Due to the expert-driven nature of metabolomics and fluxomic research, close interaction between facility scientists and users is essential.

Our services include:
– Consultation on experimental design
– Advice on stable isotope tracing strategies
– High-quality LC–MS measurements
– Data processing, statistical analysis, and visualization
– Support with biological interpretation and manuscript preparation

Integration and Environment
MEC is embedded within the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. This ensures close interaction between technology development, data analysis, and biological research.

Centre for Cell Imaging (CCI)

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The Centre for Cell Imaging (CCI) is a multi-user facility offering advanced light microscopy at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht that is open for external users. We specialize in digital imaging of diverse biological samples and supply equipment and expertise for histology specimen analyses and high-end fluorescence microscopy.

We offer:

  • Training to work independently on our microscopes
  • Support in choosing a suitable microscopy workflow (including sample preparation, image acquisition, analyses, optimization and short-term storage)
  • Support to document experimental description (labjournal, publication or archiving)
  • Support to write microscopy methodology sections for grant applications

Preparation of biological samples can be done our wet-lab and the CCI staff can help to efficiently collect quality high content image data and optimize the process. Dedicated workstations are available to perform image processing and data analysis. The CCI houses equipment for live cell imaging in a BSl-2 biosafety environment. Overall, we provide broad expertise on high-end fluorescence microscopy such as confocal, TIRF, live cell , (intravital) multiphoton, (enhanced resolution) spinning disk (Yokogawa SoRa-W1) and super resolution by single molecule light microscopy (SMLM).

High end fluorescence microscopy equipment, consultation and training. We help to start up and execute microscopy imaging projects effectively.

Imaging equipment:

  1. Evident Spin SR10 (Yokogawa W1): CLSM spinning disk
  2. Leica Stellaris -Falcon: CLSM /lifetime
  3. Nikon A1R -TIRF/STORM: CLSM
  4. Zeiss LSM 880 NLO (LTI collaboration): MP
  5. Nikon / Leica / Olympus: Wide Field

Analysis Software:
Commercial:

  1. Bitplane Imaris
  2. Evident cellSens
  3. Nikon NIS elements
  4. Leica LAS X
  5. Zeiss ZEN Blue/Black

Open Source:

  1. FIJI
  2. CellProfiler
  3. QuPath

Centre for Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting (CFC)

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The Centre for Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine provides expertise in single cell measurement and sorting since 1998. The facility supports a wide range of analyses and purifications, including immune and stem cells, sperm cells, chromosomes, bacteria, hybridomas for monoclonal antibody production, single-cell sorting for cloning or PCR analysis, fluorescent reporter–based cell selection and rare event purification. We have accumulated expertise in small particle flow cytometric analysis guiding novel developments in the field and acquiring high-sensitivity equipment capable of measuring particles as small as 40 nm in size. We have a strong track record of translating complex experimental demands into successful solutions through close collaboration with research groups, instrument manufacturers and continuous technical development.

Available Equipment:

Cell Sorting
BD Influx Cell Sorter – Equipped with 5 lasers (355 nm, 405 nm, 457 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 635 nm) enabling up to 21 fluorescent parameters. This jet-in-air system supports up to six-way sorting into a variety of tubes and plate formats.
BD FACSAria Fusion – Equipped with 4 lasers (405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 635 nm) for up to 14 fluorescent parameters. This fixed-alignment cuvette flow cell sorter is integrated into a biosafety cabinet and supports four-way sorting into tubes and multiple plate formats.

Cell Analysis
CytoFLEX LX Analyzer – Equipped with 6 lasers (375 nm, 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 635 nm, 808 nm), allowing up to 21 fluorescent parameters. Supports both tube- and plate-based measurements.
Cytek Aurora ESP Spectral Analyzer – Equipped with 3 lasers (405 nm, 488 nm, 635 nm), supporting up to 25 fluorescent parameters. Capable of both tube- and plate-based measurements. Includes a feature to measure and subtract intrinsic cellular autofluorescence.

Small Particle Analysis (Extracellular Vesicles, Nanoparticles, etc.)
CytoFLEX Nano – Dedicated to particles smaller than 1 µm. Offers VSSC detection with reduced background levels. Equipped with 4 lasers (405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 638 nm) providing 6 fluorescent parameters and 6 light scatter parameters. Supports tube-based measurements.
Cytek Aurora ESP – Equipped with a high-sensitivity secondary SSC detection channel for improved small particle analysis while retaining capability for larger particles.

Data Analysis
Three dedicated workstations with FlowJo licenses for routine downstream analysis.
High-end workstation supporting FlowJo, SpectroFlo, R Studio, FCMpass, and other software for advanced, high-dimensional data pipelines.

Flow Cytometry Facility

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The selection and purification of molecules, cells, tissues, and organisms of interest are critical yet often time-consuming aspects of biomedical research. Flow cytometers have revolutionized the sorting and analysis of large numbers of individual cells, microorganisms, and other particles at high speed. The fluidics subsystem of a flow cytometer brings particles in suspension into the flow cell where they are excited by light sources of different wavelengths. With the use of multiple mirrors, band pass, and long pass filters, the emitted light is routed to the appropriate photomultipliers, where the incoming photons are converted into electrons and visualized for further analysis. Applications range from simple cellular readouts to complex phenotyping and high-throughput screening.

Our facility houses three different machines that support a broad range of applications:

BD FACSymphony A1 cell analyzer with small particle detector:

The BD FACSymphony A1 is used for analyzing particles, ranging from very small ones such as extracellular vesicles, to microorganisms such as yeasts, and a wide variety of blood and tissue cells. This analyzer supports high-resolution analysis of up to 16 parameters simultaneously. Examples of possible applications are measuring cell proliferation, apoptosis, transfection efficiency, cell cycle progression, cytometry bead array, and identification of rare subsets by multicolor staining (both intra- and extracellular).

BD FACSAria Fusion cell sorter:

The BD FACSAria Fusion is used for sorting particles, ranging from microorganisms such as yeasts to various blood or tissue cells. This is performed at high speed and in sterile conditions. Thereby facilitating the option to bring these cells back into culture, allowing creation of specific cell clones or performance of functional assays with the cells of interest. This sorter supports high-resolution analysis of up to 17 fluorescent markers simultaneously.

Union Biometrica Large Particle Biosorter:

Some objects are too large or too sensitive for conventional flow cytometry. Therefore, Union Biometrica has developed large particle flow cytometers for handling a wide range of object sizes (1 – 1500 µm). Examples of materials that can be analyzed and sorted with the Biosorter are plant protoplasts, seeds, organoids and whole organisms, including zebrafish embryos and C. elegans embryos and larvae.

Relative size and optical density are measured, as well as fluorescence intensities at three different wavelengths. Sorting and dispensing decisions are based on user-selected ranges using the FlowPilot™ Pro software. Of each object, an optical profile can be made, in which the location and intensity of all parameters can be graphically mapped. This feature makes it possible to distinguish between fluorescence in the head, middle, or tail of the organism.

Utrecht Nanobody Facility

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Mission

The Utrecht Nanobody Facility (UNF) aims to provide support to academic researchers interested in nanobody technology. We provide advice and expertise for development of new nanobodies or new applications with existing nanobodies. In a collaborative set-up we provide the technology for the selection, production, functionalization, and applications of nanobodies. We offer technology for the functionalization of nanobodies using different site-specific conjugation methods of fluorophores (Alexa, Atto, NIR dyes etc.), drugs, nanoparticles etc. Functionalized nanobodies are excellent tracers for imaging purposes and in collaboration with the Biology Imaging Center we provide for single molecule imaging, super-resolution light microscopy, and in vivo molecular imaging.

Technology

Nanobodies are small antibody fragments (15 kDa) derived from camelid heavy chain antibodies. These single domain antibodies are uniquely adaptable tools. Nanobodies can be selected from (custom built) immune libraries, or alternatively synthetic libraries, using phage display. Extensive equipment is available for the thorough characterization of the nanobodies. Important parameters are production yield, stability, specificity, binding affinity, and selectivity in vivo. Nanobodies can be produced at small scale and equipment is available for the large scale production both from E. coli and HEK cells.

Applications

Nanobodies can be used for different applications, such as stabilization of protein conformation for X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, protein or vesicle purification, in vitro imaging (both light- and electron- microscopy), as biosensors, and for in vivo imaging. Furthermore, nanobodies can be employed for therapeutic applications, for instance: as antagonists, conjugated to drugs for cancer therapy or fibrosis, as antivirals, for targeted protein degradation, conjugated to nanoparticles carrying drugs, or in immune therapies such as nanobody-based T cell engagers or chimeric antigen receptor T cells.

ARCADIA

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ARCADIA is embedded within the Central Diagnostic Laboratory of the UMC Utrecht dedicated to linking life science research with routine diagnostics. Its central position within laboratory diagnostics in one of the largest academic hospitals in the Netherlands enables ARCADIA to provide comprehensive analytical services to its partners and customers.
ARCADIA offers a variety of services, platforms and tailored solutions to strengthen interaction between patient care, innovation and fundamental research and supports your project according to your specific needs and requirements.

To facilitate researchers in biomarker discovery and validation, ARCADIA offers a ISO9001 work environment with a wide range of cutting-edge technology platforms suitable for measuring several markers simultaneously in low sample volumes such as OLINK (Targeted Proteomics) and multiplex assay platform like MSD Discovery, Ella and Luminex.
The combination with state-of-the-art diagnostic analyzers (Siemens Atellica, Abbott ARCHITECT, Roche Cobas) within the clinical routine laboratory (ISO15189) allows offering tailored analysis services suiting your specific requirements and needs and thereby reducing sample volumes and costs to a minimum.

Single Cell Genomics

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Single-cell sequencing technologies provide insight into cellular processes at an unprecedented level of detail. They overcome the shortcomings of traditional bulk sequencing and enable the identification of individual cell types and dynamic states. The Máxima Single-Cell Genomics facility makes these technologies available to study pediatric tumors.

Purpose for research

Cancer cells do not exist in isolation but are embedded within a network of healthy ‘neighbors’. Blood vessels and stromal cells can support the disease via efficient nutrient delivery and cell-cell communication while immune cells can target malignant cells for destruction. Diseased cells also signal to their surrounding cells to promote cancer cell survival. Cancer cell heterogeneity makes some cells better able to survive under stressful conditions, such as nutrient deprivation, immune attack, or exposure to chemotherapy. Similarly, immune cells can either be ready to fight the disease or exhausted. Traditional bulk RNA-seq blends all these complex signals into an average that obscures the heterogeneity and interplay between cells.

Recent technological advances have made it possible to use single-cell sequencing to measure the activity of thousands of individual cells in parallel. This enables the investigation of several unexplored aspects of cancer biology such as tumor heterogeneity and clonality, niche-cancer crosstalk, and in-depth characterization of the immune microenvironment. Additionally, multiple modalities can be measured in parallel with RNA, such as open chromatin, cell surface markers, and VDJ rearrangements. All these possibilities lead to new insights into cancer biology, tumor composition, and treatment.

At the SCG facility single, cell genomics technologies are used to assist researchers in acquiring high-quality data to study pediatric cancer.

The facility provides support for single-cell data generation, including:

  • Advice on experimental design, choosing the appropriate technique and optimizing sample preparation.
  • Preparation of libraries and sequencing (10x Genomics, BD, and Illumina single cell preps).
  • Analysis-ready processed data, including quality control reports.
  • Expertise on single-cell data analysis and interpretation.
  • We serve multiple Group Leaders in Utrecht Science Park, the Netherlands and abroad to fruitful outcomes, see “Publications”.