Overview Of Core Service Facilities

Analytical Ultracentrifugation: Engages in collaborative research as well as training scientists, technicians, and students. Houses three Beckman XL-I ultracentrifuges along with associated instruments, hardware and computers. One of the ultracentrifuges is equipped with an AU-FDS fluorescence detector. By providing 10,000-fold enhanced sensitivity over absorbance and interference detectors, the AU-FDS permits investigations of molecules at picomolar concentrations.

Animal Cell Culture: Facilitates the use of animal cell culture as a research tool and serves as a consulting resource, training and diagnostic unit in all elements of in vitro culture including mammalian, avian, fish and insect cells. Provides all media and reagents, clonogenic assays, cell storage in liquid N2, and tests for mycoplasma contamination.

Bioinformatics: Provides access to a 18-node, 36-processor Apple Xserve Bioinformatics computer cluster and expertise in computational services encompassing a broad range of biological disciplines ranging from comparative genetics, including molecular databases, sequence alignment, and structure-functions predictions, as well as phylogenetic analyses.

DNA Biotechnology: Provides expertise, a broad array of equipment, and in-house services for the molecular characterization of DNA primarily through DNA sequencing and isolation. The Facility offers a Supply Center Program with Applied Biosystems, Bio-Rad, Invitrogen, New England BioLabs, and QIAGEN to facilitate user research.

Flow Cytometry and Confocal Microscopy: Provides expertise and training to facilitate usage of a collection of sophisticated instruments which detect and measure fluorescent light emission. Most recent acquisitions include a FACSAria II Sorter, Zeiss Multiphoton Confocal Microscope, and an Andor Spinning Disc Confocal and TIRF Microscope.

Mass Spectrometry: Provides two spectrometers: Q-TOF equipped with an API ionization source operating in either electrospray (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APcl) modes useful for a broad range of molecules up to m/z 12kDa with MS/MS capability; a new Q-star Elite LC-MS-MS system that is a hybrid quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometer with better resolution, accuracy and sensitivity. These allow qualitative analysis of proteins and small molecules, metabolite identification, protein modification analysis, and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds.

NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance): Provides access to 300, 500, and 600 MHz spectrometers, training, and expertise in their use for chemical and biological projects. The 600 MHz instrument is equipped with a cryogenic probe allowing studies of micromolar protein/RNA solutions. The spectrometers are in line with a multiprocessor workstation capable of sophisticated post-acquisition spectral processing, analysis, and macromolecular structural calculations.

Technical Services: Offers creative scientific glass blowing, sophisticated mechanical design of metals, plastics, wood, and the fabrication of scientific equipment including special welding, the repair of computer and scientific electrical equipment, and common office equipment. On-site repairs often possible.