Our department offers an infrastructure that covers advanced in vitro and in vivo models, state-of-the-art analytical techniques, and cutting-edge imaging, molecular, and computational tools. Together, these platforms enable mechanistic, translational, and exposure-driven research for a wide range of biomedical and environmental health questions. The listed techniques are available and can be combined into tailored experimental pipelines, supporting both collaborative projects and service-oriented studies.

For further information, please contact secretariaat-phartox@maastrichtuniversity.nl, who will be happy to assist you and direct your inquiry to the appropriate experts.

Advanced Cell Culture & In Vitro Models

Various 2D cell culture models
Human primary cell cultures
3D human cell culture models
     - Intestinal epithelial models
     - Bronchial and alveolar epithelial models
Air–liquid interface (ALI) culture systems
Endothelial cell culture models
     - Barrier integrity (TEER)
     - Permeability assays

Exposure & Inhalation 

Air-liquid interface exposure systems (static & continuous-flow) 
Nanoparticle generation for toxicity studies (spark ablation)
Particle characterization techniques
Micro-chamber emission testing for material-derived exposures

Genome Stability

Comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis)
     - Standard and enzyme-modified versions
     - High-throughput formats
     - Applications in cells, whole blood, and tissues)
     DNA repair capacity assays
     - Base excision repair (BER)
     - Nucleotide excision repair (NER)
Micronucleus assay (chromosomal damage)
yH2AX staining (DNA double-strand breaks)
DNA adduct analysis
     - LC-MS–based approaches
     - Gel electrophoresis–based methods)
Telomere length analysis
Mitochondrial DNA damage and copy number analysis

Molecular Biology & Cellular Signaling 

Standard molecular biology assays
     - PCR / qPCR
     - Western blot
     - ELISA
Intracellular signaling pathway analysis
     - Inflammation (e.g. NF-kB, AP-1)
     - Oxidative stress pathways
     - Mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy
Autophagy and mitochondrial function analyses
Redox biology assays
     - Antioxidant enzyme activity
     - Oxidative stress read-outs
Cytochrome P450 enzyme activity assays (e.g. CYP1A1 / EROD)
AhR-CALUX reporter gene assay

Nutritional Biochemistry and Digestion & Effect-Based Analysis

INFOGEST static in vitro digestion models
     -Simulation of oral, gastric, and intestinal phases
     - Assessment of protein digestibility and peptide release

Metabolomics & Chemical Analysis 

LC-HRMS–based metabolomics
HPLC with fluorescence detection
Volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis
     -  High-resolution GC-Orbitrap-MS
     - Targeted and non-targeted workflows
Sorptive extraction techniques (HiSorb(tm))
Thermal desorption–GC-MS
Time-resolved VOC emission profiling
VOC analysis in complex matrices
     -  Biological samples
     -  Environmental samples
     -  Materials
Integrated sampling, enrichment, and accurate-mass identification
Total amino acid determination
     - Calculation of protein quality indices (e.g., DIAAS-related metrics)
     - Analysis in food matrices, digesta, and biological samples
Spectrophotometric quantification assays for:
     - Phytates
     - Tannins
     - Total phenolics
Assessment of nutrient–antinutrient interactions

Imaging, Microscopy & Spectroscopy

Live-cell imaging platforms
Automated fluorescent microscopy scanning
Confocal and slide-scanning microscopy
Electron microscopy (EM)
Light-sheet microscopy of cleared tissues
Spectroscopic techniques
     -  Electron spin resonance (ESR)
Advanced imaging modalities
     -  SRS-CARS microscopy
     -  Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (cerebral blood flow)

In vivo Models & Physiology 

Animal models of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia
Cognitive and behavioral testing
     -  Memory and learning paradigms
Cardiovascular phenotyping
     -  Blood pressure monitoring
     - Arterial stiffness and remodeling
Cerebral blood flow and neurovascular coupling assessment
Brain microvessel isolation and characterization
In vivo metabolic phenotyping
     -  Hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp
Ultrasound-based microvascular imaging

Vascular Function & Hemodynamics 

Wire myography (arterial contractility and endothelial function)
Pressure myography (resistance artery structure and function)
Pulse wave velocity measurements
Arterial wall thickness assessment
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for microvascular perfusion

Bioinformatics & Data Integration

Automated image analysis (2D & 3D)
Machine-learning–based image quantification
Bioinformatic pipelines for large (epi)genetic datasets
Transcriptomic analysis
     -  Bulk RNA-sequencing
     -  Primary cells, tissues, and microvessels