The Salford Royal Biomedical Facility (SRBF) is located within laboratories in the Clinical Sciences Building at the Trust and can provide support at our other sites. It undertakes a broad range of research activities directed at investigation of the basis of disease and the translation of experimental laboratory research for patient benefit.

Sample preparation and storage

The Salford Biorepository Facility operates to MHRA and HTA regulatory standards. It supports ethically approved research by processing, storing and distributing thousands of human samples each year from consenting patients and volunteers.

Cell and tissue function

Patient cells and tissues are investigated to understand how they function in health and disease. These include leucocytes, endothelial, epithelial and connective tissue cells, and a specialised facility for assessing gut tissue function ex vivo. A number of human cell lines are also maintained to determine effects of drugs and experimental materials as well as for bioassay.

Histology

The SRBF has a full range of facilities for preparing and optically analysing fixed and frozen tissue specimens, including image analysis. It specialises in histopathological analysis of brain tissue.

Molecular and genetic analysis

The SRBF undertakes a range of molecular diagnostic techniques for analysis of human genes and proteins in clinical samples, including single and multiplex immunoassay, real-time PCR, chromatography and Immunoblotting. The development and standardisation of new assays and their clinical evaluation, particularly in the analysis of biomarkers of inflammation and infection is a strength.

SRBF groups

Biomedical repository

Dementia group

Cytokines and inflammation group

Infection and immunity group

Vascular research group

Analytical techniques