Resources
Biomolecular Research Center Resources provide the following capabilities and associated equipment:
Imaging Facilities:
- Routine histology (tissue preparation, sectioning and staining, microtome, cryostat, and immunohisto-
immunofluorescence) is accessible to all researchers
- Olympus BX60 Fluorescence microscope
- Nikon Eclipse TS100 Microscope with Fluorescence capabilities
- Two Scanning Electron Microscopes
- Kodak Digital Imaging Stations Models 440C & 4000R
- Zeiss LSM 510 Meta 405 with Axio Observer Z1 Confocal Imaging Station
- Computer Animated Visualization Environment (mini-CAVE)
- SkyScan 1172 High resolution X-ray micro-CT
Real Time PCR Analysis of Alternative Splicing:
- ABI 7300 and an I-Core Smart Cycler II Real-Time PCR Thermocycler are available for real time
quantitative PCR
- Various standard PCR thermocyclers (Techne and MJ Research)
- LI-COR Global IR2 4200 gel-based automated DNA sequencer with 64 lane capacity (upgradeable
to 96 lanes)
DNA and Protein Isolation and Characterization:
- Sorvall High Speed Centrifuge
- Beckman TL100 Ultracentrifuge
- Omni GLH Tissue Homogenizer
- Savant SC110A/UVS400 Concentrator/Vacuum System
- 4 HPLCs (including size exclusion and reverse phase chromatography) and LC (ion exchange and
affinity chromatography)
- 1-D and 2-D gel electrophoresis systems
- Protein electroelution system
- Walk-in cold room and temperature-controlled chromatography cabinet
- 2 Photodiode array spectrophotometers and 12 CCD array spectrophotometers (Hewlett-Packard
Model 8452 diode array Bausch and Lomb 2000)
- Mini Protean 3 Dodeca Cell
- Mini Protean 3 Electrophoresis cell
- Trans-blot semi dry transfer cell w/ PowerPac 200 Power supply
- Protean IEF Cell
- Kodak Image Station 440CF
- PDQuest software
- FX Pro Plus multi-imager (Molecular imager)
- Laser for FX Pro (Molecular imager)
- Agfa CP 1000 film processor
- Gyromax 737 and 737R Incubators
- BeckmanCoulter Epics XL model flow cytometer
- Beckman scintillation counter
Recombinant protein production (eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression):
- Routine laboratory items necessary for cloning and expression of recombinant proteins are available. Cell/tissue culture facilities as well as Molecular Biology facilities support the production of recombinant proteins. Large scale bacterial culture capacity and sonicator are available. Site-directed mutagenesis capabilities are established for testing structure/function questions. Large-scale (100 liters) preps are performed at Utah State University, Logan UT.
Protein structure determination:
- Molecular modeling stations (Silicon Graphics Tezro molecular modeling station)
- Fluorescence spectrometer (Ferrand Optical Mark-1)
- Jasco J-810 spectropolarimeter to allow secondary structure determination by circular dichroism
- Beckman XL-I Analytical ultracentrifuge for velocity and equilibrium sedimentation analysis
- E-500 EleXsys x-band Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectrometer for structural and interaction studies
- ThermoElectron Deca XP-Plus tandem mass spectrometer with Surveyor two-dimensional HPLC for
Proteomic analysis, identification of proteins and analysis of posttranslational modifications
- MicroCal Microcalorimeter for isothermal titrational analysis of protein interactions
- Veeco Metrology Digital Instruments Nanoscope IV Scanning Probe Microscope for structure and
interaction analysis is available in the laboratory of our collaborator
Protein interaction determination:
These systems can be used to determine molar mass as well as size and shape information for the
study of interactions.
- Field-flow fractionation channels (including thermal, electrical and flow FFF)
- Multiangle laser light scatter (MALS) detector in tandem with Size Exclusion Chromatography
(SEC) and a refractive index detector
- Dynamic light scatter (DLS) detector for determination of hydrodynamic radius
- Yeast Two Hybrid analysis of interactions in vivo
- Reichert SR7000 Surface Plasmon Resonance spectrometer for real time interaction analysis
- Olis Stopped flow kinetic Spectroflourimetry
- Varian Cary Fluorescence Spectroscopy
- Time-resolved UV resonance Raman Spectroscopy
- Bio Tek Microplate Washer
- Plate Readers