Derriford Research Facility: critical equipment

The University's list of critical medical equipment needed to push forward our 'world-leading' research at the Derriford Research Facility
Derriford Research Facility: critical equipment

In 2017 the University of Plymouth £17m Derriford Research Facility opened it's doors to continue the 'world-leading' research momentum we have built in a very short space of time.

We have a list of critical equipment that if purchased will further our research into some of the most pressing medical issues such as cancer; neurodegenerative diseases – Parkinson's and dementia; and in areas of infection, immunity and inflammation – such as Ebola and bovine tuberculosis.

Critical equipment

Producing world-leading research demands the most high-tech equipment, for which we welcome philanthropic support:

  • A MALDI-TOF-TOF – £280,000 – to study the proteome – the complete protein content of cells or tissues in disease conditions – and to detect novel biomarkers of disease – brain tumours, Parkinson’s 
  • High performance liquid chromatography apparatus – £50,000 – to measure levels of brain chemicals such as dopamine – Parkinson’s 
  • A confocal microscope – £300,000 – to see inside brain structures – stroke 
  • An optima MAX-XP Benchtop Ultracentrifuge – £55,000 – to isolate the toxic proteins that appear in neurodegenerative diseases – dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s.