Facilities and resources

The Nucleic Acids Institute connects researchers and academic faculties with a comprehensive suite of university-wide facilities. From latest-generation technologies to pioneering methodology, we ensure your projects are fully supported.

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Explore our facilities to discover opportunities for high-impact research and collaboration


Genomics Laboratory Facility 

As part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology cluster within the University of Sheffield’s School of Biosciences, the Genomics Laboratory delivers expert genomic services, including long and short-read sequencing, SNP genotyping, real-time PCR, single-cell analysis, sample preparation, and quality control. With over 20 years of experience, it supports a wide range of genomic research needs.

Optical-Tweezers Microscope

The LUMICK C-Trap Dymo400 is a state-of-the-art optical-tweezers microscope. It enables microscopic objects to be trapped, manipulated and fluorescently imaged, allowing single-molecule investigation of nucleic acid:protein interactions, force spectroscopy and cell mechanics.

The LUMICK C-Trap Dymo400

Cryo-Electron Microscopy (CryoEM)

Our multi-million pound facility houses multiple instruments for biological and soft-matter electron microscopy, based in custom-built laboratories, alongside office spaces.

Information about the equipment

The Nano-characterisation Laboratory

Our state-of-the-art facility, located in the Royce Discovery Centre at the University of Sheffield, is equipped with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), nanoindentation, and optical profilometry, offering unmatched precision in surface characterisation and nanomechanical testing.

Explore the services available

Biomolecular Interactions Suite

The Biomolecular Interaction Suite is situated in Firth Court and comprises one Isothermal Calorimetry (ITC) instrument, and one Nanotemper Microscale Thermophoresis (MST) instrument.


Wolfson Light Microscopy Facility

An open access facility that offers a range of microscopes including confocal, widefield and deconvolution systems and more specialised systems for super-resolution and light sheet microscopy.

Information about the equipment

Flow cytometry core service

The University's flow cytometry facility is a core facility based in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and provides a service to all at the University and externally.

Flow cytometry facility

Plant growth facilities

Our world-class plant growth facilities allow researchers to study plants in a range of simulated climates and atmospheric conditions, from the polar ice caps to the tropics.

Study plant growth


biOMICS Mass Spectrometry Facility

The biOMICS facility partners with University researchers and external collaborators, providing them with advanced mass spectrometry solutions through our state-of-the-art instrumentation and specialised expertise.

Information about the facility

Bioanalytical Facility

A custom built, well-equipped analytical facility for proteomic workflows for protein and peptide analysis and characterisation of nucleic acids, nucleosides and other metabolites.

Biological Engineering

Centres of excellence

The University's cross-faculty research centres harness our interdisciplinary expertise to solve the world's most pressing challenges.