The shared instrument cores cooperatively developed by the Departments of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology and Chemistry represent a valuable resource to Center investigators. These cores contain state-of-the-art equipment that has been acquired with funding from the National Institutes of Health (NCRR, NINDS, NIEHS), the National Science Foundation (EPSCoR), the Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA), and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. These facilities include:

Mass Spectral Analysis Core Facility: Micromass LCT and QTOF mass spectrometers have been recently purchased and will have the capabilities to help researchers investigate an array of problems ranging from chemical composition to macromolecular structures. Most important, the QTOF instrument is the state-of-the-art technology in proteomics. The facility will be operated under the direction Dr. Chuck Thompson.

MicroArray Fabrication and Scanning Core Facility. A Virtek Vision (formerly ESI) Arraying Robot and Axon GenePix 4000 Scanner have recently been purchased and will provide the capability of high-quality cDNA and oligo microarray generation and analysis. This instrumentation will provide a platform for measurement of relative gene expression in toxicologic or pharmacologic test systems or for assessment of polymorphisms predisposing to environmental sensitivity. The facility will be operated under the direction of Dr. Mark Pershouse of the Center for Environmental Health Sciences.

Microscope and Image Analysis Laboratory includes a Nikon E-800 fluorescence microscope, high resolution video and a computer driven image capture and analysis system. This facility also includes a Radiance 2000 confocal microscope and imaging system that can be utilized for determining the subcellular localization and distribution of specific proteins in tissue slices or cultured cells. The facility is operated under the direction of Dr. Diana Lurie.

Laser Scanning Cytometer (LSC) Core Facility: CompuCyte LSC uses two lasers (Argon and HeNe) and four detectors (PMT's) to quantify fluorescence of many dyes and probes on microscope slide specimens. A solid state sensor measures forward light scatter. The automated motorized stage can scan thousands of cells in minutes. Data is displayed in real time. CompuSort relocates gated cells and creates cell galleries in seconds. Color images are obtained by a monitored CCD video camera and a Kodak DC120 digital camera.

Liquid Chromatography Facility. Four high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) instruments (Waters -3, ABI-1) make up the separations core facility. Capabilities exist for analytical and preparative scale separations of peptides and oligos, amino acid detection and quantification, molecular exclusion, protein analysis (digestion and separation), and detection using UV-Vis (single channel and diode-array), refractive index and/or mass spectrometry.

Molecular Modeling Facility. R5000 computer graphics workstations (Silicon Graphics; Indigo Hard and O2) are available that are loaded with several Tripos software modules (Sybyl, Advanced Computation, DIANA, Triad, QSAR, Biopolymer and FlexX) for modeling small and large molecules, evaluating structure-function relationships, visualizing proteins and predicting protein-molecule and protein-protein interactions.

Molecular Histology Core now occupies dedicated space specifically designed as a shared histology lab in the research wing of the Skaggs Building. This lab is equipped with microtomes, cryostats, staining hoods, waterbaths, paraffin pots embedding equipment, etc.

Tissue Culture Facility: was designed to support research utilizing both established and primary cell lines. Located on the second floor of the Skaggs Building, it includes incubators, laminar flow hoods, cell shaker, water baths, refrigerators, freezers, and an Olympus inverted fluorescence microscope.

Core Centrifuge Facility: supports research related to subcellular fractionation and protein purification. Located on the third floor of the Skaggs Building, this facility now contains two Beckman ultracentrifuges, two Sorvall RC5B preparative centrifuges in addition to an assortment of rotors.

Murdock DNA Sequencing Facility: Located within the Division of Biological Sciences, the Murdock facility offers DNA sequencing to researchers at UM and nationwide.

Research Cores and the Center for Neuroscience are also supported by Office of the Vice President for Research & Development.