The DLSU Imaging and Cell Culture Laboratory (iCELL) is a full-service laboratory offered by the Central Instrumentation Facility under the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. The facility houses advanced bioimaging and cell culture equipment, including the Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (LEICA SP8-X FALCON with Live Cell Imaging), the Zeiss AxioImager Z2 Fluorescence Microscope with Cytogenetics Workstation, the BioTek Synergy HTX – Multimode Microplate Reader, as well as a fully functional Mammalian Cell Culture Laboratory.
The laboratory is located on the 3rd floor of Dr. George S.K. Ty Central Instrumentation Facility at DLSU Laguna Campus in Binan, Laguna.
iCELL offers a variety of cell-based assays with the standard protocols, including those for:
as well as several more assays in the pipeline coming soon, which include:
iCELL also offers Live Cell Imaging to observe mammalian cells as they undergo specific treatments or modifications. This can be done under brightfield or with fluorescent dyes.
As of May 2026, the cell lines available for study in iCELL’s portfolio include the following:
For confocal fluorescence microscopy, our system uses two lasers. We have a 405 nm UV laser that can be used to view traditional blue dyes such as DAPI or Hoechst 33342. We also have a white light laser that can visualize dyes with excitations ranging from 470 – 670 nm.
How much do iCELL Services cost?
| Analysis Type / Item | DLSU Rates (Php) | DLSP Rates (Php) | Academic Rates (Php) | Government Rates (Php) | Industry Rates (Php) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTT/PrestoBlue Assay | Base rate (1 extract vs. 1 cell line) | 17,500 | 20,000 | 25,000 | 28,750 | 32,500 |
| Additional cost for another extract (same cell line) | 8,750 | 10,000 | 12,500 | 14,375 | 16,250 | |
| Apoptosis Assay (AO/PI Dual Staining) | Base rate (1 extract vs. 1 cell line) | 17,500 | 20,000 | 25,000 | 28,750 | 32,500 |
| Additional 24-hour exposure for AO/EB | (+) 3,500 | (+) 4000 | (+) 5,000 | (+) 5,750 | (+) 6,500 | |
| Package (MTT/PrestoBlue + AO/PI) | Base rate (1 extract vs. 1 cell line) | 26,250 | 30,000 | 37,500 | 43,125 | 48,750 |
| Instruments | ||||||
| CLSM | per session (half-day) | 3,500 | 4,000 | 5,000 | 5,750 | 6,500 |
| Inverted Brightfield | per session (half-day) | 1,050 | 1,200 | 1,500 | 1,725 | 1,950 |
For Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Assays:
For Brightfield / Fluorescence Microscopy:
Do you allow external students/researchers to do the assay?
No. External students/researchers are not permitted to personally conduct experiments in our laboratory, even under supervision. Only our researchers and students under the residency program are authorized to perform the experiment.
Do you offer rush analysis?
No. We do not offer rush analysis. All analyses are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
How many samples should we submit for the cytotoxicity analysis?
We require a minimum of 1 gram of soluble solid form extracts after crude extraction, rotary evaporation, and freeze-drying or oven-drying.
Do you have lab space for lab work prior to analysis?
No. We only accept prepared samples for analysis and do not provide laboratory space for sample preparation or other experimental work prior to submission.
Do you offer discounted rates for students?
Discounted rates are available only to students affiliated with DLSU and the DLSP network. For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
Do you offer training and workshops?
Yes. We offer training sessions and workshops related to our laboratory services. Please contact us for details at [email protected]
Do you provide certification after training and workshops?
Yes, certificates are provided after the completion of training sessions or workshops. At the moment, these trainings are not yet eligible for CPD units.
Your contact information is not working. Is there an alternative e-mail?
Yes. You may contact us through the following alternative e-mail addresses:
Can we visit the iCELL facility at any time?
As part of university policy, all visitors must have a proper host on campus. We require prior coordination before visiting DLSU Laguna Campus. Please provide the purpose of the visit, the complete names of visitors, the preferred date and time, and vehicle details such as color, make, and plate number.
Do you have a parking space at DLSU Laguna?
Yes, parking spaces are available at DLSU Laguna. Please coordinate with us in advance for the gate pass processing. We will require the visitor’s complete name, date and time of the visit, and vehicle details including color, make, and plate number.
How can we go to DLSU Laguna?
From Manila by private vehicle:
Take SLEX and exit via Sta. Rosa (or Eton), Proceed to Paseo de Sta Rosa. At the intersection of Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road and Laguna Blvd., continue along Laguna Blvd toward Laguna Technopark. After passing Laguna Technopark Gate 2, continue straight until you see a DLSU star signage (on the right). Turn left, pass underneath the CALAX road, and continue straight until the rotunda. The DLSU Laguna gate is located at the second exit.
From Manila by public transportation:
Take a bus bound for Sta. Rosa. Get off after the Sta. Rosa toll exit. Ride a tricycle going to Shopwise Paseo de Sta. Rosa, then take another tricycle for a special trip to DLSU Laguna.
DLSU Imaging and Cell Culture Laboratory (iCELL)
Central Instrumentation Facility
105 George Ty (GT) Building
De La Salle University Laguna Campus
Laguna Boulevard, LTI Spine Road, Barangays Biñan and Malamig, Binan, Laguna
e-mail: iCELL@dlsu.edu.ph
