Core Laboratories
The Center has six core laboratories that help integrate the research and provide services required by all the investigators. These cores reduce redundancy between labs and provide services not all the individual labs routinely perform
Genomics Core: Co-Directed by Michael Griswold and Derek Pouchnik, the Genomics Core provides state-of-the art genomics micro-array technology equipment. The core laboratory provides access to the both an Affymetrix Micro-Array apparatus and a custom array apparatus for glass slide array of investigator initiated arrays. The Core interacts with the Bioinformatics Core support to assist the investigators in data analysis. Technical support is provided to perform the analysis on the Affymetrix chips and in the production of the custom arrays.
Proteomics Core: Directed by James E. Bruce, the Proteomics Core provides state-of-the art proteomics research on campus and enable much greater insight in many biological research programs at WSU. The objectives of this core are to provide access to technology and expertise capable of measuring relative quantitation of proteins from complex mixtures such as cell lysates, as well as facilitate the identification for those proteins found to be up- or down-regulated in response to particular stimulus, disease or treatment of interest. In addition, this core lab will serve as a resource for consultation, education and training in current proteomics technology, help further accelerate biological research programs at WSU, and better educate WSU graduates for success in the increasingly competitive biotechnology sector.
Molecular Biology Core: Co-Directed by Michael Griswold and Derek Pouchnik, this Core provides DNA sequencing, protein sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, peptide synthesis, and some information services to members of the Center. A state of the art core laboratory with all the required equipment is available.
Bioinformatics Core: Directed by Michael Skinner, the Bioinformatics Core www.bioinformatics.wsu.edu, is to provide computational expertise for genomic and proteomic research studies. Staff can provide investigators with recommendations for hardware and software necessary to perform data analysis, storage, and management. The Bioinformatics core provides investigators with centralized DNA/Protein, microarray, proteomics data analysis services. The core consists of secure high performance computers/servers and storage devices linked to the genomics, proteomics and image analysis core. The data generated by these core facilities is seamlessly integrated for analysis by most commonly used analysis packages. The individual users can also link to central servers to access their data for analysis. WSU Bioinformatics core operates within an academic 'hybrid zone' involving Life, Computer Sciences and Engineering. Bioinformatics core services will be accessed through the The WSU-bioinformatics web site with links to the servers, mirror sites for WWW sites for DNA/protein analysis and centralized servers including a Storage Area Network (SAN) (web-based client/server interfaces).
Plant Transformation Core: Directed by Dr. Mechthild Tegeder, The Plant Transformation Core laboratory provides state-of-the-art facilities and technical support for plant researchers at WSU to conduct plant tissue culture and transformation experiments. As part of the Center for Integrated Biotechnology, the Core facility performs gene transfer experiments, helps maintaining plant cultures and assists in the development of new plant culture and transformation protocols for investigators. All equipment and facilities needed for plant tissue culture and transformation are provided.
Laser Microdissection Core: Directed by Dr. Norman Lewis, the Laser Microdissection Core laboratory provides several techniques such as immunolocalization, in situ hybridization and reporter gene visualization used for such purposes with differing levels of success. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is a relatively new technique which makes it possible now to excise and harvest individual cells from tissue sections. Such harvested cells can provide DNAs, RNAs, proteins and metabolites for a plethora of applications including gene expression profiling, as well as proteomic and metabolite analyses of individual cell and tissue types.
