Core Facilities
Biochemistry
The Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility characterizes peptides and proteins, with two mass spectrometers, a ThermoFinnigan LCQ Deca 3D ion trap and a ThermoFinnigan LTQ linear ion trap. These mass spectrometers utilize electrospray ionization and nanoscale reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography for sample preparation and analysis. Director: Charles R. Hauer III, Ph.D.
The Biochemistry Shared Instrumentation Core offers access to analytical spectrophotometry, chromatography, electrophoresis and calorimetry. Staff provide initial training, primarily through one-to-one tutorial instruction, with the objective that researchers will be able to perform their own experiments and run the instrumentation independently. Director: David LeMaster, Ph.D.
Genetics
The Genomics Core Facility provides a variety of services in the area of genomics and genetics research including DNA sequencing, microarray analysis, DNA extraction, and genotyping. Michael P. Ryan, Ph.D., Director.
The Transgenic and Gene Knockout Core Facility produces and analyzes transgenic and gene knockout mice that can be used as animal models of human disease. Animal rearing of resultant lines is the responsibility of the principal investigator. Director: Kerri Kluetzman
Imaging
The Electron Microscopy Core contains conventional transmission and scanning electron microscopes, and high voltage and field-emission transmission instruments associated with the national biotechnology resource (see below). Specialized accessories include ultra-microtomes, a high-pressure freezing device and a cryo-substitution apparatus. Interim Co-Directors: Michael Koonce, Ph.D.
The Advanced Light Microscopy and Image Analysis Core includes high resolution, time-lapse video enhanced microscopy, micromanipulation and microinjection, optical tweezers and laser microsurgery. Living cells can be analyzed in vivo by fluorescence microscopy, and accurate 3D reconstructions can be generated from optical sections. Director: Richard Cole
Immunology
The Immunology Core includes a monoclonal antibody production unit and flow cytometry and cell sorting capabilities. Consultation for preparation of tissue samples for light and fluorescence immuno-cytochemistry is provided. Director: David A. Lawrence, Ph.D.; Assistant Director, Joan Pedersen-Lane
Molecular Structure
The Computational Molecular Biology and Statistics Core provides access to and support of sequence analysis software, several DNA and protein sequence databases, and molecular graphics modeling software. Consulting on statistical analysis of data on a variety of public health problems or experimental design is also provided. Director: Randall H. Morse, Ph.D.
The Macromolecular Crystallography Facility conducts X-ray crystallographic analysis of macromolecules in collaboration with Wadsworth Center investigators. The three-dimensional structures of macromolecules, and of complexes with ligands, are determined at atomic resolution. Director: Patrick Van Roey, Ph.D.
The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Core provides structural analysis of proteins and DNA under physiological solution conditions. Three-dimensional structure data and molecular flexibility/rigidity information can be related to function. Director: David LeMaster, Ph.D.
National Resource
The Resource for the Visualization of Biological Complexity is a federally supported national biotechnological resource with a 1.2 MeV AEI High Voltage Electron Microscope and a 400 kV JEOL 4000FX Electron Microscope. Three-dimensional reconstructions of biological structures are generated using single-particle, crystallographic, tomographic and serial-section image processing systems (SPIDER and Sterecon). These are applied to conventionally prepared specimens and to unfixed, unstained frozen-hydrated specimens. Same-cell correlative light and 3D electron microscopic studies use video-enhanced light microscopy, and microsurgery on selected components of living cells use a laser ablation and optical trapping system. Directors: Conly Rieder, Ph.D., Joachim Frank, Ph.D., Carmen Mannella, Ph.D., and Terence Wagenknecht, Ph.D.