Overview Of Core Service Facilities

Analytical Ultracentrifugation: Two Beckman XLl ultracentrifuges support collaborative research with academia and industry. An annual workshop and symposium and newly developed hardware and software assist in, and advance, analytical ultracentrifugation technology.

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 16-node, 32-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. On-site PCR freezer and QIAGEN cabinet programs facilitate user research. Genomics capability in progress.

Flow Cytometry and Confocal Microscopy: Provides expertise and use of several sophisticated instruments to detect and measure fluorescent light emission as in flow cytometry, confocal and other advanced imaging technologies. Offers aseptic cell and particle sorting and some reagents.

Mass Spectrometry: Two instruments are available: Micromass TOFSPEC-2E and VB-QTOF2 Mass Spectrometers. Services currently available include accurate molecular weight determination of small molecules by direct flow injection or LC introduction into the Q-TOF and the determination of peptide or protein molecular weights by MALDI-TOF on the TOF-SPEC. The Facility Scientists provide expertise and consultation in the use of the instruments.

NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance): Provides access to 300, 500 and 600 MHz spectrometers and expertise in their use. The 600 MHz instrument is fitted with a state-of-the-art cryogenic probe that can achieve a signal:noise ratio up to 4000:1.

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