Tender for the Supply and Installation of a High Dimensional Spatial Biology Platform to the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a high-dimensional spatial multiomics platform. This will form part of the advanced histology services offered by Birmingham Tissue Analytics (BTA), a University of Birmingham research facility. BTA already provides complex multi-parameter immuno-histochemical tissue imaging and spatial transcriptomics platforms academic, clinically focused, and industry-linked work streams (www.birmingham.ac.uk/birmingham-tissue-analytics). This spatial multi-omics platform should build on BTAs current capabilities and capacity, particularly with regards to high dimensional protein and gene expression analysis at subcellular analytical resolution.

This project may be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) or;

• European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) or;
• Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils.

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of an imaging platform capable of delivering spatial high parameter, multi-omic data in single cell resolution. This platform will be operated by Birmingham Tissue Analytics (BTA), a University of Birmingham spatial biology facility.

General characteristics

BTA specialises in the delivery of high dimensional imaging data across a range of spatial biology platforms (Leica Bond RX, Akoya Mantra, Akoya PhenoImager HT, Lunaphore COMET, Nanostring GeoMx). The intention for the platform that is the subject of this tender would be to expand our existing capabilities, particularly with regards to the number of markers per slide (ideally in excess of 80 targets), our capacity for profiling RNA expression in human tissue samples and our ability to deliver multiple projects simultaneously across academic and industry collaborations.

Specifications

1) An analytical platform capable of providing hyperplex imaging more than 80 targets per slide.

2) Capability to analyse FFPE tissue samples, and frozen tissue.

4) An end-to-end hyperplex solution that encompasses staining and imaging.

5) A platform that facilitates whole slide imaging due to existing constraints within our multiplex platforms.

6) Pre-validated reagent kits for protein/RNA profiling would be highly advantageous due to the service delivery basis for which the platform utilised which limits the feasibility of extensive panel validations across multiple projects.

7) A benchtop platform that could be accommodated on standard laboratory benching due to space constraints in the facility.

8) An imaging platform for which there is evidence of a level of throughput that meet demands of our workload (ideally 10-20 projects per year, projects typically demand 10-20 sections)

8) A platform that provides imaging data that is accessible to a range of image analysis software, in particular Visiopharm, which we have already invested in as a facility and for which we have existing analysis workstreams.

After sales services

• We expect a swift and high quality remote and on-site technical support for the length of the instrument warranty as well additional service contracts we might purchase.
• A training package must be provided for a group of users.
• We expect the suppliers to provide us with educational resources and services dedicated to our instrument configuration.