Email this pageCore Facilities
The Core Facilities provide services to all researchers at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. An Executive Oversight Committee provides the Senior Associate Dean of Basic Research, Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D. with recommendations for overall core facility strategic planning and management.
Contact: Sally Quataert, Ph.D., URSMD Core Facilities Director, 585-273-2454, Sally_Quataert@urmc.rochester.edu
Biomolecular Interaction Laboratory
The Biomolecular Interaction facility seeks to give access to custom affinity reagents to researchers in the University. We utilize phage display to generate recombinant antibodies to user provided target molecules and produce the single-chain Fv proteins for the user. We also can perform affinity measurements using surface plasmon resonance or provide access to trained users to this equipment.
Contact: Mark Sullivan, Ph.D., 585-273-1629, Mark_Sullivan@urmc.rochester.edu
Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Core
The Biosafety Level 3 facility (BSL-3) is available for the use of any researcher at the university whose work requires manipulation of biological agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease as a result of exposure by the inhalation route.
Contact: Marty Pavelka, Ph.D., 585-275-4670, Martin_Pavelka@urmc.rochester.edu
Confocal and Conventional Microscopy Core (CCMC)
The Confocal and Conventional Microscopy Core—formerly called the Pathology/Morphology Imaging Core—provides a new Olympus FV100 laser scanning confocal microscope, an SP1 Leica confocal microscope, an Olympus fluorescence microscope, and capabilities for large specimen imaging. All users are provided the ability and expertise to characterize biologic specimens using sophisticated fluorescent and/or brightfield microscopy.
Contact: Linda Callahan, Ph.D., 585-275-1317, Linda_Callahan@urmc.rochester.edu
Electron Microscope Research Core
The principal mission of this Electron Microscope Research Core (EM Core) is to provide University of Rochester researchers support in high magnification image analysis of cells and tissue in the fields of Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and combined Scanning/Transmission EM (STEM).
Contact: Karen Bentley, M.S, 585-275-1954, Karen_Bentley@urmc.rochester.edu
Flow Cytometry and Immunologic Analysis
Flow cytometry resources are now available in several locations within the medical center.
The mission of URMC Flow Cytometry Core is to provide investigators with state-of-the-art
instrumentation along with the human expertise to support all that is possible now, while
pushing the limits of what can be done with flow cytometry.
The Core currently has analytical tools including a FACSCanto (8-colors) and 3 LSR-II's
(one 11-color, one 12-color, and an 18-color instrument) from BD Biosciences. We also have a BD 13-color
FACSAria cell sorter, and our recent acquisition, an Amnis ImageStream Imaging Cytometer.
Instrumentation is only part of what we offer. In close association with the Human
Immunology Center , we also offer comprehensive training for your staff, consultation for
maximizing the effectiveness and cost of your experiments, as well as an environment that
fosters success in both existing methods and crossing the boundaries into new frontiers.
Contact: Tim Bushnell, Ph.D., 585-273-5535, Tim_Bushnell@urmc.rochester.edu
Functional Genomics Center
The Functional Genomics Center consolidates the Microarray Core, & the Nucleic Acid Core Facilites into one entity. The center provides DNA sequencing; DNA and RNA extraction, purification, and measurement; microarray services, quantitative RT-PCR, genotyping, DNA fragment analysis; SNP analysis; assistance with interpretation of results.
Contact: Stephen L. Welle, Ph.D., 585-273-3117, Stephen_Welle@urmc.rochester.edu
Gene Targeting and Transgenic Core
At this time, the Gene Targeting and Transgenic Core provides expertise and assistance in the production of transgenic mouse models by either DNA microinjection or gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells.
Contact: Lin Gan, Ph.D., 585-273-1510, Lin_Gan@urmc.rochester.edu
High Throughput Screening (HTS) Core
The University of Rochester High Throughput Screening (HTS) Core provides investigators with relatively low cost access to screening chemical libraries for identification of novel molecules that can be used to perturb biological systems. We offer the capacity to develop assays for high throughput screening, the ability to screen relatively small libraries to obtain preliminary data for grant proposals as well as to screen much larger libraries for identification of leads for therapeutics.
Contact: Alan V. Smrcka, Alan_Smrcka@urmc.rochester.edu,
Ben Miller, Benjamin_Miller@urmc.rochester.edu
Rochester Human Immunology Center Laboratory
The Rochester Human Immunology Center (RHIC) and its core laboratory were established to acquire, refine and develop expertise in cutting-edge techniques and to support applications in Human Immunology research. The RHIC serves to enhance multi-disciplinary research initiatives catalyzing key clinical and basic immunology research in vaccines, HIV/AIDS, autoimmunity, allergy/asthma, transplantation as well as cancer immunology. The Center's core lab provides assistance and expertise in immunological method development, standardization and validation through individual and group training programs.
Contact: Sally Quataert, Ph.D., 585-273-2454, Sally_Quataert@urmc.rochester.edu
Molecular Imaging Facility
The Molecular Imaging Facility provides researchers at the University of Rochester with access to state of the art instruments capable of detecting and quantifying the levels and positions of radio- and fluorescently labeled molecules in a variety of formats including gels, blots and microtiter plates.
Contact: Scott Butler, Ph.D., 585-275-7921, btlr@mail.rochester.edu
Multiphoton Core Facility
The Multiphoton Core Facility is available to all investigators at the University of
Rochester to acquire and analyze high-quality images using cutting-edge multi-photon technology. The facility is equipped with a brand new Mai Tai HP Deep Sea Laser from Spectra Physics and an Olympus Fluoview 1000 AOM-MPM Microscope.
Contact: Karl Kasischke, M.D., 585-273-2870, Karl_Kasischke@urmc.rochester.edu
Proteomics Center
The University of Rochester Proteomics Center provides protein characterization support, predominantly in the form of proteomic technology. The analytical strengths of the core are mass spectrometry and separation sciences. In a classical proteomic application, a complex sample matrix, such as serum, is separated into individual protein fractions, the identities of which are then determined with mass spectrometry. The core processes a myriad of sample types, from complex clinical matrices to simple purified proteins, for identification of unknowns or verification of identity. Contact: Alan Friedman Ph.D., 585-273-4066, Alan_Friedman@urmc.rochester.edu (New Project Development and FTMS Applications); Fred Hagen, Ph.D., 585-275-0336, fred_hagen@urmc.rochester.edu (Routine Analysis and Services)
RCBI (Rochester Center for Brain Imaging)
The Rochester Center for Brain Imaging (RCBI) provides researchers at the University of Rochester, as well as neighboring institutions, with access to a state-of-the-art 3T magnet for research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Contact: Richard N. Aslin, 585-275-8687, aslin@cvs.rochester.edu
Small Animal Imaging Resources
Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging Lab, directed by Dr. Ruola Ning, may conduct small animal imaging scans for research. For more information visit http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/radiology/research/conebeam/. To request small animal imaging services please complete an Animal Imaging Request at http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/radiology/research/conebeam/contactus.htm.
Multiphoton Core, directed by Dr. Karl Kasischke, is highly specialized for intravital imaging and systems physiology in small animals, e.g. mice and rats. The Core can record arterial blood pressure, EKG, body-temperature, laser doppler, tissue oxygen, electrophysiology, pulse-oximetry, blood-gases, and blood-glucose. Small animal surgeries are routinely performed at two completely equipped surgical areas in direct proximity to the multiphoton microscope. Physiological measurements can be started during surgery and continued during the intravital imaging session. For more information, visit http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/multiphoton/index.cfm.
Rochester Center for Brain Imaging (RCBI), directed by Dr. Richard Aslin, has been hosting several projects using experimental animal models for imaging of normal physiology or various diseases. Commercial or custom-made RF coils and pulse sequences are available for studies using mouse, rat and larger animals such as monkeys and rabbits. Trained technologist can run experiments set up by users and staff scientists, and various image-processing computers and tools are available. Form more information, visit http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/research/rcbi.cfm.
Small Animal Ultrasound Imaging Core Facility within the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) is available for investigators using the CVRI vivarium location. The VisualSonics Vevo 770 High-Resolution Imaging System provides real-time, high-resolution micro-imaging and blood flow analysis for small animal, preclinical research.It is a non-invasive solution that facilitates longitudinal studies from embryonic analysis through adulthood and blood flow analysis for small animal research.The VisualSonics Vevo 770 offers image resolution of anatomical and physiological structures down to 30 microns. Contact Burns Blaxall, 585-276-9791, burns_blaxall@urmc.rochester.edu.
Xenogen IVIS In Vivo Imaging Core, directed by Dr. Deborah Fowell, can be used to detect bioluminescent tracer molecules in living small animals. For more information, visit http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/research/xenogen_core.cfm.
Vivarium
The Vivarium is a centralized resource facility with staff and programs that support the research and educational uses of laboratory animals.
Contact: Jeff Wyatt, DVM., 585-275-2651, Jeff_Wyatt@urmc.rochester.edu
Xenogen IVIS In Vivo Imaging Core
The mission of the in vivo bioluminescence imaging core is to allow the detection of bioluminescent tracer molecules in living small animals.
Contact: Deborah Fowell, Ph.D., 585-273-3680, deborah_fowell@urmc.rochester.edu
Cold Storage Core (CSC)
The CSC provides a discreet area where investigators can keep freezers for long-term storage of research materials. The entire facility is alarmed and power protected.
Contact: Carrie Dykes, Ph.D., 585-273-4104, carrie_dykes@urmc.rochester.edu
Business Opportunities
Facilitating the transfer of URMC science and technology from the laboratory to the realm of medical advancement.
