2012 Core Instrumentation Awardees
Awardee: Xiaojiang Chen, Director
Equipment: Multi-Mode Microplate Reader Synergy H4 (BioTek)
Facility: NanoBiophysics Core
Synergy H4 (BioTek) is a new class of multi-mode micro plate readers that uses the new Hybrid Technology™ to combine sensitive filter-based optics and flexible monochromator-based optics in one compact instrument for endless flexibility in current and future micro plate-based assay choices. The model’s functions will satisfy the growing needs of faculty. This instrument can perform a variety of assays such as cellular, GPCR, reporter gene, enzyme, genotyping, and quantification assays. Additionally, Synergy H4 is compatible with BioTek’s Take3™ Multi-Volume Plate for low volume measurements down to 2 μL. Synergy H4 offers the flexibility of six assay technologies, including fluorescence and absorbance, luminescence, time-resolved fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, and Alpha Screen.
Awardee: Victoria Fox, Director
Equipment: Nikon Biostation Live Cell Imager
Facility: USC Stem Cell Core
Unlike conventional live cell imaging equipment, The Biostation is unique in that it consist of a standard sized tissue culture incubator with an inverted microscope inside, and holds 30 vessels ranging from 96 well plates to 75cm2 flasks, which are moved between the microscope stage and the vessel rack via a robotic device. This Biostation would be pivotal to our ongoing efforts to develop new technologies for working with human pluripotent stem cells, which ultimately requires an understanding of their physiology and in vitro requirements. In addition to providing much needed research support the Biostation would provide an important teaching apparatus to support these activities, which include a microscope training course run by the Director of the Pasadena Bridges program, Dr. Pamela Eversole.
Awardee: Roberta Marinelli, Director
Equipment: Instrument Suite for Ocean Acidification Studies
Facility: USC Wrigley Institute
The Combined pCO2 and DIC analyzer, Honeywell Durafet pH sensor system, and Shimadzu UV-1800 Scanning Spectrophotometer will provide flexibility in measuring and monitoring approaches and analytical constraint for system measurements. The suite of instruments was chosen in part on the ease of use in a multi-user situation. The equipment will be housed in the laboratory of Dr. Karla Heidelberg, at the Wrigley Marine Science Center.
Awardee: David Van Den Berg, Director
Equipment: Biomek 3000 Laboratory Automated Workstation
Facility: Molecular Genomics Core
This instrument fits a key area of need for multiple departments and schools and will be fully supported by the Epigenome Center. This instrumentation will be available as an open access instrument for any research group. The proposed equipment would facilitate, or in some cases enable, the studies to be conducted locally and not outsourced to better equipped facilities. It can be utilized at all scales of library construction, from just a few libraries at a time to the dozens required for the described projects. The instrument will be housed in the Molecular Genomics Core, which currently has numerous pieces of complex analytical equipment operated and maintained by qualified personnel.
2011 Core Instrumentation Awardees
Awardee: Liqin Zhao, Director of Translational Research Laboratory
Equipment: ABI OpenArray Real-Time PCR System
Lab: Translational Research Laboratory
The OpenArray Real-Time PCR System is a mid-density platform and whole-system solution for throughput gene expression, genotyping, and digital PCR studies. This state-of-the-art instruments will benefit researchers with either basic or translational focus. It enables streamlining genomic validation and screening, and helps accelerate many research applications in areas including but not limited to pharmaceutical target validation, drug discovery, molecular testing and pathogen detection. The system will be installed in the Translational Research Laboratory, Room 510, of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Center on the Health Sciences Campus.
Awardee: Peter S. Conti, Director of Molecular Imaging Center
Equipment: GENISYS4 Benchtop Preclinical PET Imaging Unit
Lab: USC Molecular Imaging Center (Small Animal Imaging Core)
The addition of the GENISYS4, which is a multimodal microPET imaging platform, will strengthen both ongoing work in oncology, pharmaceutical sciences, engineering, neurosciences, and genetic medicine by current Center users, as well as greatly enhancing the ability of the Center to support new research in dentistry, medicine, surgery, pathology, orthopedics, biochemistry, and developmental and molecular biology. Investigators working in various areas of basic and translational research will benefit from the access to in vivo systems to evaluate fundamental biological processes. The GENISYS4 will be located in the USC Molecular Imaging Center located on the Health Sciences Campus.
2010 Core Instrumentation Awardees
Awardee: Peter S. Conti, Director of Molecular Imaging Center
Equipment: IVIS Lumina XR Integrated Digital X-Ray & Optical Imaging Unit
Lab: USC Molecular Imaging Center (Small Animal Imaging Core)
The addition of the IVIS Lumina XR Integrated Digital X-Ray & Optical Imaging Unit to the Molecular Imaging Center will strengthen ongoing work in oncology, pharmaceutical sciences, engineering, neurosciences, and genetic medicine. Additionally, the ability of the Center to support new research in dentistry, pathology, orthopedics, and developmental biology will be greatly enhanced. The IVIS Lumina XR will be housed in the Molecular Imaging Center, CSC 101.
Awardee: David Van Den Berg, Director of Genomic Core Facility
Equipment: Fluidigm Biomark Real-Time PCR System
Lab: USC Molecular Genomic Core Facility
The USC Molecular Genomics Core Facility has been awarded funds to purchase the Fluidigm Biomark Real-Time PCR System. This is a genomics-based hardware system that assists researchers by providing a platform that performs assays with substantially lower amounts of DNA, reduced costs, and faster turnaround. This hardware can be used to support several forms of analysis including genetic analysis of common variation (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms or SNPs), real-time quantitation of gene expression, and genome partitioning for targeted sequencing. The system can also assist with intermediate analysis of DNA Methylation status and chromatin associated marks using real-time PCR of Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP-PCR). The Fluidigm system will be placed in the Molecular Genomics Core Facility (NRT G514) as an open access system.
Awardee: Ebrahim Zandi, Director of USC Proteomics Core
Equipment: Orbitrap XL ETX
Lab: USC Proteomics Core Facility
The USC Proteomics Core Facility has been awarded funds to upgrade the existing linear ion trap mass spectrometer LTQ XL ETD to an Orbitrap XL ETX. This upgrade to the current mass spectrometer will provide the technology for quantitative analysis of proteins and their PTMs, and will have a significant impact on the basic and clinical research of all USC and affiliated research communities. The Core provides high-sensitivity and high-resolution mass spectrometry for protein and peptide analysis as its primary technology. The Proteomics Core Facility will be located in the Hoffman medical Building (HMR 511/513) at the Keck School of Medicine.