Facilities and Research Cores
Cell and Immunobiology Core (CIC)
The CIC provides custom monoclonal antibodies, flow cytometric analysis and tissue culture reagents. The Core is hosted by the Dept. of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.
DNA Core
The DNA Core provides DNA sequencing, genotyping, SNP detection and analysis and microarray services; maintains a freezer inventory program for molecular biology enzymes and reagents; and provides support for computer analysis of nucleic acid and protein sequence data. Robotic instrumentation is available for high throughput plasmid isolation, colony picking and genomic library management. The Affymetrix GeneChip® System has also been added to the DNA Core. The GeneChip® Instrument System is a fully integrated platform for Affymetrix application-specific oligonucleotide arrays, the GeneChip® probe arrays. The integrated system includes the GeneArrayT scanner, the GeneChip® Fluidics Station (model 400), the GeneChip® Hybridization Oven 640, and a powerful computer workstation loaded with the Affymetrix Microarray Suite. The Core is hosted by the Dept. of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.
Electron Microscopy Core (EMC)
The EMC is a campus-wide resource center for research that requires scanning or transmission electron microscopy, providing investigators in both life sciences and material sciences with consultation, training and services. The facility was established with resources from the College of Veterinary Medicine, the School of Medicine, the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, the Department of Geological Sciences and the Molecular Biology Program. The Core is hosted by the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology.
Life Sciences Center & Sears Plant Growth Facilities
The Life Sciences Center and the Ernie and Lottie Sears Plant Growth Facility provide state-of-the-art workspace for MU plant research. Each facility contains greenhouses and walk-in growth chambers for IPG researchers to use. The Sears Facility alone spans nearly one-half acre and allows scientists to have precise control over the environment.
Molecular Cytology Core (MCC)
The MCC is a resource for all types of light microscopy, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization techniques and general scientific image analysis and processing. Instrumentation available for client use includes two confocal microscopes, micro-injection system, epi-fluorescence stereoscope, conventional wide-field microscopes, paraffin microtome, cryostat, and ultramicrotome. Complete details about our services and instrumentation can be found at http://biotech.rnet.missouri.edu/mcc/. The MCC is hosted by the Life Sciences Center.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Core
The NMR Core, located in the Department of Chemistry, now operates under the administrative umbrella of the Molecular Biology Program. Directed by Professor of Chemistry Tuck Wong, the NMR Facility was the first core research facility to be established at MU. It continues to serve chemistry faculty as well as researchers from many other disciplines. Instrumentation includes a Varian Inova 600 MHz spectrometer, a Bruker DRX 500 MHz spectrometer, an ARX 250MHz spectrometer and a DRX 300 MHz (widebore) spectrometer with solid state capability. All these spectrometers have multinuclear capability. The NMR Facility and staff are available for research support to investigators who want to use NMR for structural elucidation and study of chemical and biological reactions. Assistance in the design of experiments and spectral analysis is available upon request.
Proteomics Center
The Proteomics Center is the newest core research facility under the umbrella of the Molecular Biology Program. It is being developed through the collaborative efforts of the Office of Research, the Molecular Biology Program, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. The Proteomics Center offers state-of-the-art technologies in protein and peptide analysis to all MU researchers. For more information, contact Center director John Walker at WalkerJ@missouri.edu.
Structural Biology Core (SBC)
The Structural Biology Core Facility (SBC) offers assistance in unraveling the three-dimensional structure of biological molecules by providing technical expertise in protein purification and crystallization and instrumentation for NMR Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Beamline services are also available through the SBC. The SBC has been established under the umbrella of the Molecular Biology Program. Supported by Mission Enhancement, the Depts. of Biochemistry and Chemistry, and the Molecular Biology Program, the SBC provides centralized access to structural biology resources, facilitates collaborations between faculty with expertise in structural biology and other MU life scientists, and strengthens proposals for extramural funding.
