Biological Sciences Core Facilities

The Advanced Electron Microscopy Facility develops techniques for preserving cellular structure with the highest degree of reliability. These techniques involve different methods for rapidly freezing samples in order to halt structural and biochemical activity in a very short timeframe, thus preserving structure in the “live” state.

The Biophysics Core comprises a wide range of instrumentation and expertise to assist researchers in characterizing molecules of interest. From absolute properties to kinetic studies, the facility provides the tools, training, and assistance for quantitative analysis of macromolecules and their interactions.

The CSC provides high throughput cell and non-cell based screening for researchers throughout the Chicago area. Both small molecules and siRNA libraries are offered for such screens.

The CAT Facility provides instrumentation and antibodies for the analytical detection of subcellular components and proteins using a range of fluorescence and non-fluorescence-based detection technologies. The CAT Facility also maintains an Antibody/Hybridoma Bank that provides commonly-used, highest-quality purified antibodies, pre-titered conjugated antibodies for flow cytometry, and hybridoma cell lines.

The Genomics Facility provides state-of-the-art genomics data generation services through Next-Gen (Sequencing and Library prep), Micro-array (Affymetrix / Illumina), Sanger DNA Sequencing, and Bio-analyzer sample QC services. Projects include small whole genome sequencing, (small)-RNA-SEQ, ChIP-SEQ and Exome-SEQ projects [NGS], gene expression profiling, SNP-genotyping, Methylation profiling projects [arrays], and plasmid/PCR product sequencing.

HIRO assists UChicago investigators and research staff with medical imaging performed on human subjects for research purposes. This includes the acquisition, analysis, collection, anonymization, and distribution of image data.

The mission of this CAP-accredited core facility is to provide investigators with a centralized infrastructure to optimize the efficiency and costs related to research involving biospecimens. Currently the HTRC provides services for the collection of clinically-annotated human tissues, DNA, PBMC, saliva, and other requested body fluids. In addition, the core also provides services for tissue microarray (TMA) construction as well as cryostats and digital imaging for investigators use. In this way, the HTRC provides a coordinated, centralized, and dedicated program for the procuring, processing, dispersing, and assessing all types of biospecimens together with downstream histology services.

This core provides high-end microscopy imaging capabilities, including bright field (color, DIC, etc.), fluorescence (multi-dimension; TIRFM; bleaching, ablation, etc.), high-resolution, high-speed, high-sensitivity, confocal, and physiologic techniques; STED-CW, GSD3D, lightsheet selective plane illumination (SPIM), and lattice lightsheet structured illumination super resolution microscopy to University researchers.

Research at the MRIRC includes development of new fMRI methods, MRI methods for characterizing stroke, breast and prostate cancer imaging, use of quantitative MRI in clinical trials, including improvements in quantitative MRI methods, and development of new cardiac imaging methods.

The mission of the Pharmacology Core Facility is to foster clinical pharmacology and biomarker research regarding cancer therapeutics. The Facility offers comprehensive lab services to support cancer investigators conducting clinical and preclinical drug development studies.

The Transgenic Mouse/Embryonic Stem Cell Facility provides genetic engineering services including the production of transgenic mice; ES cell gene targeting and culturing; CRISPR/Cas9 technology utilization; TARGATT technology; and BAC transgenic preparation and injection. The Facility also provides specialized breeding, rederivation and training services for GEM production and maintenance.