Equipment & Cores

Biospecimen Core --

The Biospecimen Core provides COBRE projects with essential molecular biology reagents, technical support, and a state-of-the-art facility, so that experiments which require a molecular biology approach can be carried out in a cost-effective way.  The Core provides a central sequencing facility for analyzing DNA sequence and gene polymorphisms; a central facility and reagent bank for real-time PCR to quantify mRNA expression; a high-throughput facility for PCR and genotyping; and vector, plasmid, and bacteria banks for reagent sharing.  The Core houses state-of-the-art equipment,  including an ABI Prism 3100 Genetic Analyzer, a real-time PCR machine (in place), a Biomek FX Assay Work Station (liquid dispenser, in place), and 5 thermocyclers (in place), and other commonly used molecular biology equipment such as imaging system with the capability for densitometry analysis, bacteria incubators, and ultracentrifuge.  The Core is staffed with the most experienced molecular biologists, who not only have hands-on experience in using this equipment, but also a proven track record in managing core facility.

Biospecimen Core Equipment

Histopathology Core --
Wen-Xing Ding, Ph.D., Core Director
The Histopathology Core supports the COBRE projects by facilitating the rapid phenotype analysis of transgenic or null mice.  For example, in determining gene expression pathways that are regulated in the liver of OB/SHP null mice as compared to control OB/OB and SHP null mice under different conditions.  The functions of the core include determining gross histological characteristics of tissue, measuring and localizing protein and gene expression in liver or other tissues by immunocytochemistry or in situ hybridization techniques, perform serum chemistry analysis to follow liver injury and repair during studies of fibrogenesis or fatty liver, and quantitating different cell types isolated from the liver or other sources by flow cytometry.

Histopathology Core Equipment

Analytical Core --

The Analytical Core supports the investigators of the COBRE projects by providing instrumentation and expertise in its application to research problems. Specifically, the Analytical Core provides and promote HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC, and Multi-mode spectrophotometry as analytical tools available to our investigators. This Core provides COBRE investigators with modern instrumental approaches for the isolation, identification, and quantification of compounds of relevance to their studies of liver function in health and disease.  It validates instrument performance as a component of an overall quality assurance program for this core facility.  This Core assists and trains COBRE investigators in appropriate sampling and sample preparation to take advantage of these instrumental approaches.  Finally, the Analytical Core develops working relationships with other core facilities on this campus and on other campuses in the state to further develop the capabilities and the efficiency of all cores.

Analytical Core Equipment