Discover our cutting edge facilities
The State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC) hosts several state-of-the-art facilities for undertaking advanced biotechnology research in genomics including large-scale genome sequencing, genetic transformation, gene editing, cell and molecular biology, proteomics and mass spectroscopy, computational genomics and bioinformatics, diagnostics and robotics.

Bookings

Access to SABC facilities and equipment is available to registered users only.

Make a booking

For more information and to register for access, contact David Berryman.

SABC - Main Laboratories

 Level 2, Building 235 (Loneragan Building)

The SABC Main Laboratories house various machines that facilitate innovative research and analysis:

  • ABI 3730 XL Sequencer
  • Qiagen TissueLyser
  • qPCR machines
  • Digital Droplet PCR machine
  • Freeze Dryer
  • Vacuum Concentrator
  • Covaris instrument
  • Agilent Bioanalyser
  • Agilent HPLC System
  • Brucker MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer
  • Hyperspectral camera
  • Confocal microscope
  • Fluorescence microscope
  • Light microscopes
  • Incubators
  • Plate reader
  • Biomek 3000
  • Fluidigm system

SABC - Advanced Genomics Platform

 Level 3, Building 390

Under this platform, SABC hosts state-of the art sequencing and genotyping facilities including following:

dnbseq lab machine

DNBSEQ-T7

A high-speed, high-flexibility and ultra-high throughput sequencer that uses MGI's proprietary DNBSEQ technology. It can produce up to 6 Tb of high-quality data per day and can run different read lengths and flow cells simultaneously. DNBSEQ-T7 is suitable for various applications, such as whole genome sequencing, deep exome sequencing, epigenome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and tumour panel sequencing. DNBSEQ-T7 can help researchers to achieve faster, deeper, and more accurate sequencing results.

mgisp lab machine

MGISP-960

A flexible, fully automated high-throughput sample preparation system with 96-channel pipette. MGISP-960 has validated lots of library kits including WES/WGS/RNA and so on. MGISP-960, with fully automatic operation design, can realise unmanned process and be customised according to customer needs. It is an efficient and widely used automated sample preparation system.

ztron lab machine

ZTRON Pro Equipment

A powerful software tool that can help researchers to create, manage, and analyse complex data sets. Users of the Ztron can:

  • Import data from various sources and formats, such as CSV, JSON, XML, SQL and more.
  • Perform data cleaning, transformation, aggregation, and visualisation using a drag-and-drop interface or a scripting language.
  • Apply advanced machine learning algorithms and statistical models to your data, such as regression, classification, clustering, anomaly detection and more.
  • Export your results to different formats and platforms, such as Excel, PDF, HTML, Tableau and more.

SABC- Speed Breeding Facility

Glasshouse 7 was built following a successful ARC LIEF grant application submitted by Professor Michael Jones. It has excellent chilled water-cooling control in all compartments with the addition of LED lighting for speed breeding in two compartments.


SABC - High-Performance Computational Analysis Facility 

SABC hosts a high-performance computational analysis platform (Ztron Appliance) with 256 cores, >512 GB RAM and >1000 TB storage. Additionally, SABC researchers have access to the computational power provided by the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, which provides facilities and expertise to the research, education, and industrial communities. The Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre is an unincorporated joint venture between Murdoch University, CSIRO, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, and The University of Western Australia and is supported by the Western Australian and Federal Governments. 

SABC- PC2 and Quarantine Greenhouses (GRDC Grains Precinct)

 Building 895

The GRDC Grains Precinct was funded jointly by Murdoch University, GRDC, DPIRD and Curtin University.  It includes two four compartment greenhouses built to a high standard. The first is designated for PC2 and Quarantine work and has an integral autoclave, whilst the second is PC1 for standard plant growth. There is also an experimental greenhouse funded by Clearview Technology, also with four compartments. The roof panels reduce heat and unwanted solar radiation (UV and infrared) from penetrating the glass panes, and the unwanted solar radiation is redirected to the edges of the panes to generate energy, whilst allowing visible wavelength light to pass through. There is also a large, netted area for fieldwork, and an accompanying large equipment shed and site office.


SABC - Food Analytical Laboratory

The Food Futures Institute (FFI), partners with the Food Innovation Precinct WA. SABC of FFI works to improve sufficient, safe, and sustainably produced nutrition, supporting industry through research and workforce capacity building.