Contract for the Supply and Installation of a High-Dimensional Spatial Transcriptomics/Proteomics Platform to the University of Birmingham

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, a University of Birmingham research facility that specialises in the delivery of high dimensional imaging assays as a service to academic and industry collaborators. General characteristics The platform in question is intended to expand the facilities capabilities in spatial transcriptomics, building on other technologies that are already used to phenotype tissue samples with but with either a lower number of parameters or lower level of resolution. Capabilities for profiling RNA expression in human tissue samples is essential. This profiling should allow sufficient depth to characterise cell identity and effector function to generate spatial atlases of tissue samples. To achieve this, it would be expected to be able to study in excess of 500 RNA markers per imaging run. An ability to profile protein marker expression in addition to RNA would also be highly advantageous. Specifications 1) An analytical platform capable of providing high parameter imaging assays to profile RNA expression in tissue samples at least single cell resolution. 2) Capabilities to analyse tissue samples in various formats, including Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) or frozen. 3) Pre validated reagent kits for RNA/protein 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. 4) Access to proprietary analysis software, ideally which can be made available to multiple researchers (service users) for their own data analysis. 5) PC-based controller with capabilities for image visualization and interrogation. A solution to handle large image files in conjunction with image analysis would be beneficial. 6) The instrument must come with an up-to-date and powerful computer for system control, data acquisition and, where applicable data analysis. We expect this computer to be provided with the latest operating software. 7) The software provided for the data acquisition and/or the data analysis should provide a user friendly workflow for image visualisation and analysis. 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 as 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.