Advanced Technology Core Laboratories
Advanced Technology Core Laboratories are an essential part of the successful research enterprise of Baylor College of Medicine. Core facilities provide state-of-the-art instrumentation and technologies to support research of all faculty on a fee-for-service basis.
ATC Labs are each staffed by a scientific director and dedicated technical personnel who provide the highest quality laboratory work plus consultation on experimental design, data analysis and training. ATC Labs offer competitive pricing through subsidization of their operations by funds from center grants and the College.
To maximize efficiency, quality and utilization, Advanced Technology Core Labs have been organized as an independent unit in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research with a faculty level executive director and a full-time administrator. Member ATC Labs have adopted and adhere to uniform policies for operation and governance.
The executive director together with a Faculty Advisory Committee have established processes for evaluation of cores to assure scientific quality and prioritize scientific needs, to assist with obtaining finances and space, and to develop and establish new cores. The administrator assists cores with business aspects of their operations including invoicing and billing, accounting, pricing, planning and laboratory information management software systems.
Resources listed below:
Leadership
Faculty Oversight Committee
- Mary K. Estes, Ph.D.
- Jeffrey M. Rosen, Ph.D.
- Carolyn L. Smith, Ph.D.
- Thomas Cooper, Ph.D.
- Margaret A. Goodell, Ph.D.
- Thomas P. Zwaka, M.D.
- Ex-Officio member: Adam Kuspa, Ph.D. VP for Research
Executive Director
Dr. Dean P. Edwards, Ph.D.
Professor
Departments of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Pathology & Immunology
deane@bcm.edu
Administrator
Thomas Sanchez, MBA
Office of Research
ts12@bcm.edu
713-798-6992
ATC Laboratories
Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core
The Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core at Baylor College of Medicine provides training, instrumentation, technical expertise, and software for flow cytometric analyses and cell sorting. Go to Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core website »
Director
Joel M. Sederstrom, M.B.S. / Christine Beeton, Ph.D.
713-798-3868
DNA Sequencing
This core provides automated sequencing on Applied Biosystems Model 3130XL Genetic Analyzer. The core provides sequence data from single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA, BAC, PCR product. More than 1,000 bp can be read from each sequence run. Quality of sequencing is directly proportional to the quality of the DNA template. Go to DNA Sequencing website »
Director
Lawrence Chan, M.B., D.Sc.
713-798-8577
Genetically Engineered Mouse
The GEM Core provides BCM investigators with advice and services requiring the manipulation of mouse gametes to facilitate research involving genetically engineered mice. The GEM Core provides the following services and all can be scheduled and tracked using Mouse Embryo Manipulation Services, MEMS: DNA microinjection (traditional transgene DNA constructs or BAC DNA into the one cell mouse embryo), ES cell microinjection into blastocysts, strain rederivation into a pathogen free strain, and embryo cryopreservation for safe preservation of valuable mouse strains. Go to Genetically Engineered Mouse website »
Director
Franco DeMayo, Ph.D.
713-798-6241
Genome-wide shRNA Screening (GRSA/C-BASS)
The C-BASS core makes available to the BCM community the human and mouse shRNA library collections, through the Open Access Program from Open Biosystems. C-BASS can provide individual shRNA plasmids for use in any BCM laboratory, or carry out an entire screening experiment using the libraries. C-BASS personnel are available to facilitate the use of these reagents and perform RNAi screens with a level of involvement that is appropriate for the specific experiment. Downstream analyses of the RNAi screen can include, in-house, high-throughput image analysis and flow cytometry. In addition, DNA oligo chip hybridization for the identification of the barcoded shRNA plasmids can be carried out at the BCM Microarray Core Facility. Go to Genome-wide shRNA Screening (GRSA/C-BASS) website »
Director
Dan Liu, Ph.D. / Trey Westbrook, Ph.D.
713-798-8032
Genomic and RNA Profiling Core
The Genomic and RNA Profiling Core (formerly known as the Microarray Core Facility) provides Baylor College of Medicine-affiliated researchers access to microarray technology. The core currently provides arrays for mouse and human gene expression. Custom arrays of other genomes and private clone sets can be constructed upon request. The GARP offers sample quality control, labeling, hybridization, scanning, quantitation, and data analysis services as well. This facility serves as the source for experimental design, probe preparation protocols, hybridization, and image scanning for cDNA arrays as well as Affymetrix GeneChips?. The core also offers data analysis services as well as Quantitative PCR (QPCR) for validation of gene expression results. Go to Genomic Profiling website »
Director
Lisa White, Ph.D.
713-798-7699
Integrated Microscopy
Fluorescence, confocal, deconvolution and electron microscopy services are available. Instrumentation, available in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, includes a Beckman-Coulter IC-100 (high throughput microscopy and analysis system); Zeiss AxioPlan2 Microscope with CoolSnap HQ CCD MetaView, MetaMorph; Zeiss LSM 510 META Confocal/Spectral Imaging Microscope; Applied Precision SoftWoRx Image Restoration Microscope (deconvolution); Hitachi H-7500 Transmission Electron Microscope with Gatan 2Kx2K CCD; Silicon Graphics and PC Workstations; RMC Ultramicrotome. Go to Integrated Microscopy website »
Director
Michael Mancini, Ph.D.
713-798-8952
Mass Spectrometry Proteomics
The Mass Spectrometry-Proteomics Core Laboratory (MS-PCL) provides services for high sensitivity high throughput triple Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometer and full-fledged proteomics technologies for discovery and validation of biomarkers of various diseases. The services include (i) rapid mass determination of proteins and peptides, (ii) identification of proteins/peptides in complex biological samples, (iii) subproteome isolation and characterization, and (iv) detailed analysis of post-translational modification of proteins/peptides. The MS-PCL is also planning to meet the Good Laboratory Practice. This is a new Advanced Technology Core that will be opening in January 2012. For further information contact the Core Director.
Director
Hon-Chiu Eastwood Leung, Ph.D.
713-798-6360
Email: hleung@bcm.edu
MHC Tetramer
The tetramer production core provides customized MHC/peptide tetramers for identification of antigen-specific T lymphocytes by flow cytometry. Tetramers and/or their derivatives are provided for research purposes only; their use for commercial purposes is prohibited. Go to MHC Tetramer website »
Director
Xiaochi Lily Wang, M.S.
713-798-3918
Email: lxwang@bcm.edu
Monoclonal Antibody/Protein Expression
This core provides custom services for construction of monoclonal antibody producing B-cell hybridomas and recombinant baculoviruses for expression of proteins in insect cells. After construction of hybridomas, the core mass produces and purifies MAbs from large-scale hybridoma cultures grown either in conventional spinner vessels (up to 5.0 liters) or in hollow-fiber bioreactors. Baculovirus recombinant proteins are expressed in either conventional spinner cultures or oxygenated bioreactors. Key core equipment includes 27°C BOD incubators and Applikon 5 liter oxygenated bioreactors for large scale growth of Sf9 insect cells, hollow-fiber bioreactors (FiberCell Systems) for large scale production of hybridomas, and MAbs in vitro and FPLC systems for MAb purification. Go to Monoclonal Antibody/Protein Expression website »
Lab Manager
Kurt Christensen
713-798-2325
Email: krchrist@bcm.edu
Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
The Mouse ES Cell Core generates genetically engineered mice needed by researchers across the United States who are in pursuit of answers and cures for human disease. Core personnel assist investigators with projects that involve generating mutations in the germ line and somatic tissues of mice by performing homologous recombination in ES cells. ES services include electroporation, ROSA targeting, Close Expansion, the generation of primary mouse ES cell lines and Murine Virus Testing. Go to Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells website »
Director
Monica Justice, Ph.D.
Mouse Metabolic Research Unit (Children's Nutrition Research Center)
The MMRU at the CNRC has extensive facilities for automating feeding studies and for measuring numerous metabolic parameters related to understanding energy expenditure and its various determinants (substrate oxidation, activity, body composition, etc.) in mice (as well as in pigs, although more limited). The number of mouse metabolic units available enables concurrent measurements on a relatively large number of mice. Dedicated engineer and faculty members also available to help investigators design their experiments and interpret their data. Go to Mouse Metabolic Research Unit website »
Director
Marta Fiorotto, Ph.D.
Children's Nutrition Research Center
713-798-7146
Mouse Phenotyping Core
The Mouse Phenotyping Core facility contains a multitude of testing capabilities for the assessment of mouse models from embryo to adult. Access to the MPC is open to all BCM and non-affiliated BCM investigators. Current equipment includes: MRI, CT, ultrasound, body composition/densitometry, indirect calorimetry, telemetry, and indirect blood pressure. Workstations for image reconstruction and data analysis are also available within the core. Go to Mouse Phenotyping Core website »
Manager
Corey Reynolds, Ph.D.
713-798-5040
Pathway Discovery Proteomics
This is a unique proteomic service that provides antibody affinity purification of endogenous protein complexes and MS-based identification and analysis of the associated proteins. Suitable antibodies for immunoprecipitation of the desired protein complex and optimization of the cell line, culture conditions, and methods for cell lysis and antibody affinity purification are provided as services. The complexes are isolated under conditions of cellular activation by appropriate signals as requested by the cancer center investigator. Go to Pathway Discovery Proteomics website »
Director
Jun Qin, Ph.D.
Population Biosciences Biorepository
The Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center Population Sciences Biorepository was created to support a high-quality molecular epidemiology program in the Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center and to serve as a scientific resource for investigators on biospecimen collection and storage methods in their efforts to discover etiologic risk factors and deliver personalized cancer medicine. Our goal is to provide necessary risk factor and clinical data collection and a centralized, cost-effective facility for biospecimen processing and storage of biospecimens from large epidemiological and clinical studies. The PSB provides services for individually funded investigators as well as for clinical centers wishing to bank specimens prospectively from their patients for future research projects. The PSB clinical coordinators can assist you with consenting, phlebotomy, and data collection, if needed. The PSB Laboratory provides full fractionation and aliquoting for blood samples, as well as DNA extraction from whole blood, buffy coat, or saliva. Our team can consult with you to plan the data and specimen collection and storage needs for your projects. Go to Population Biosciences Biorepository »
Director
Michael Scheurer, Ph.D.
Protein Profiling/Quantitative Proteomics
The proteomics core provides highly customized services to BCM and the Texas Medical Center community for protein profiling and affinity based proteomic platforms. Services include Luminex bead technology for multiplex quantitative analyses of intracellular and extracellular proteins and various signaling pathways; protein fractionation and protein profiling by two-dimensional liquid chromatograph (PF2D) and 2D gels, antibody and protein-protein interaction arrays as discovery tools for protein biomarkers, and preparation of serum subproteomes including depletion of abundant serum proteins. Go to Protein Profiling/Quantitative Proteomics website »
Director
Shixia Huang, Ph.D.
713-798-8722
Additional BCM Shared Resources
- Analyte Center (William O'Brien, Ph.D.)
- Frensley Imaging Center (Shi Ke., M.D.)
- Molecular Core Lab (Partha Sen, Ph.D.)
- Mouse Metabolism Core (Pradip Saha, Ph.D.)
- Thrombosis Core (Jing-Fei Dong, M.D., Ph.D.)
- Vector Development Core (Alan Davis, Ph.D.)