Technology Transfer, Patents and Licensing
Iowa State University provides many resources to assist in the transfer of scientific discoveries and technologies to the marketplace. Technology transfer resources at ISU include the Iowa State University Research Park and the Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer.
Iowa State University Research Park
ISU has networks in place to move research results quickly and smoothly from the laboratory to industry. For start-up companies, the Iowa State Research Park provides an environment in which small business entrepreneurs involved in technical products, research and development can turn their concepts into marketable products and services.
The ISU Research Park offers biotechnology research facilities, microelectronics, new industrial materials, analytical chemistry, computational fluid dynamics, pharmaceuticals, biologics and more, all supported by unsurpassed communication capabilities and with experts only minutes away at Iowa State University.
For more information, contact the ISU Research Park Corporation, 2711 North Loop Drive, Suite 4050, Ames, IA 50010-8648, telephone: 515-296-PARK, fax: 515-296-9924, website:
Office of Intellectual Property
and Technology Transfer
The ISU Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer (OIPTT), which works with the ISU Research Foundation, solicits inventions from ISU’s faculty, staff and students to facilitate protection,
marketing and licensing activities in the technology transfer process. OIPTT provides educational services to ISU’s faculty, staff and students on intellectual property issues and works with the office of the Vice President for Research to implement intellectual property policies.
For more information about licensing or commercial development
opportunities at ISU, visit the OIPTT website at You may also contact the Office of Intellectual Property and
Technology Transfer by email at .
Iowa State University Service
Facilities for Biotechnology Research
Academic and Industrial Users
A major initiative of Iowa State University has been the establishment and support of state-of-the-art instrumentation for biotechnology
research. The Iowa State University instrumentation facilities for
biotechnology research are open to faculty and students from the
university, other educational institutions and industry scientists.
Equipment Development and Sharing
In addition to instrumentation facilities, the university has in place an organization whose primary function is the support of researchers’ equipment needs. The Research Equipment Assistance Program (REAP) maximizes the use of research and teaching equipment by maintaining a locational database and loan program through which interdepartmental loaning and sharing of equipment is conducted. The REAP office has in inventory various pieces of research equipment that are available for loan. For more information, call 515-294-5752.
For General Information
Please contact the Office of Biotechnology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3260, telephone: 515-294-9818, email: .
Specific questions about each facility should be directed to the contact individual(s) for the facility as listed in this publication.
The annual publication, ISU Service Facilities for Biotechnology
Research, provides additional information about these and other facilities on campus available to on- and off-campus biotechnology researchers. The information is also available online at:
Animal Gene Transfer Facility
Location:1270 Kildee Hall
Hours:8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, by appointment
Contact:Jason Ross, Professor-in-Charge
, 515-294-8647
515-294-4471 (fax)
The AGTF provides a variety of services to individuals who wish to utilize transgenic animals as part of their research programs. The facility maintains equipment necessary for the creation of transgenic animals via microinjection or somatic cell nuclear transfer and is available to life science researchers for technical service and for training of a limited number of individuals. All work to be performed in this facility must be scheduled with the professor-in-charge, as the facility is not staffed full-time.
Equipment housed in the facility includes two microinjection workstations, micropipette pullers, a microforge, stereo-zoom microscope and CO2 incubator. Additional supporting equipment located in nearby laboratories to which access may be granted includes a heated microcentrifuge, tri-gas incubators, stereo-zoom microscopes, inverted microscope, biosafety cabinet, osmometer, pH meter, embryo freezing machine, cell fusion machine, gel electrophoresis equipment and UV transilluminator.
Atmospheric Air Quality Laboratory
Location:0205 Sukup Hall
Hours: Professional assistance available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
weekdays
Contacts:Facility 515-294-9174
Jacek Koziel, Professor-in-Charge,
515-294-4206
515-294-2255 (fax)
The Atmospheric Air Quality Laboratory at the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is situated in the new Sukup Hall and serves as a focal point for collaborative research and training in the area of air quality engineering and livestock odor. The laboratory specializes in development and testing of odor and gaseous emissions mitigation technology, continuous air quality monitoring, environmental analysis, quantification of organic compounds with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and simultaneous chemical and olfactometry analyses.
Livestock odor and gaseous emissions mitigation
The lab offers lab-scale and pilot-scale development and testing of odor and gaseous emissions mitigation based on physical, chemical and biological approaches. Testing of the treatment efficacy targeting odor, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, greenhouse effect gases (CO2, CH4, N2O) are conducted. Full scale tests are conducted at university and commercial farms.
Air quality monitoring for odor, gases, particulate matter and greenhouse gases at livestock operations
The laboratory is equipped with a variety of real-time analyzers for gaseous ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and ozone. It is also equipped to conduct field air sampling and analysis of organic gases with sorbent tubes and SPME.
Wine flavor, aroma and nutraceuticals
The lab specializes in state-of-the art chemical and sensory analysis of wine flavors, aromas and nutraceuticals. Chemical method detection limits are between part-per-billion and part-per-quadrillion levels.
Multidimensional GC-MS-olfactometry
The MDGC-MS-O system includes a custom-made GC-MS system with heat-cutting capability based on a Dean switch capable of simultaneous chemical and olfactometry analyses.
Solid phase microextraction (SPME)
SPME is used for extractions of gases emitted from a variety of samples, including livestock and poultry manure, air, food, beverage, packaging, bio-based products, live insects, plants, breath and general applications related to quality control and quality assurance.
Non-destructive in vivo sampling and analysis of volatiles
The lab is equipped for technologies for non-destructive in vivo sampling and analysis of volatiles from insects, plants, fruits and breath.
Biofuels analyses
Sampling and analysis of volatiles and semivolatiles at elevated temperatures from various processes associated with biofuels production and utilization are available.
Atomic Force Microscopy Facility
Location: 0122 Molecular Biology Building
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; 24-hour access after
complete training
Contact:Curtis Mosher, Manager, ,
515-294-6513, 515-294-7134 (fax)
Three atomic force microscopes are available for use in the Roy J. Carver Laboratory for Ultrahigh Resolution Biological Microscopy of the Institute for Combinatorial Discovery.
Digital Instruments DimensionTM 3000 Scanning Probe Microscope
The Dimension 3000 scanning probe microscope (SPM) brings together all SPM techniques in a single platform and handles a wide range of sample sizes and types. A rigid, low vibration construction of the
Dimension 3000 SPM ensures high quality images and measurements.
Samples up to eight inches in diameter can be scanned in ambient air or fluids using the Dimension 3000 SPM. The Dimension 3000 SPM requires little or no sample preparation, and the simple vacuum mounting system allows easy and convenient setup. Superior linearity and resolution in all three dimensions are obtained, even for large samples. Integrated top-view video optics with motorized zoom and 1.5 µm optical resolution help identify areas of interest for detailed scanning quickly and easily. Changing scanning techniques, for example from AFM to STM, requires no tools.
The NanoScope IIIa system controller is a main part of the SPM system, providing the software and electronics that drive the microscope. Digital tracking and feedback control ensure accuracy and speed at all scan sizes and positions on the sample.
Digital Instruments MultiMode with a Tapping ModeTM
The MultiMode system features multiple scanners that permit the user to tailor the system for individual research. Scanners with large scan ranges up to 120 microns on the X–Y axes and a Z range up to 6 microns, as well as high-resolution scanners with 0.5 micron X–Y axes and submicron Z range are available. The vertical-engage “JV” and “EV” scanners allow the tip to be positioned at any point on the surface, without adjusting for lateral movement during approach. The MultiMode is controlled with a NanoScope IIIa controller. This controller provides 16-bit resolution on all three axes, with three independent 16-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) in X and Y for control of the scan pattern, scaling and offset. This configuration provides 16-bit resolution of the lateral scanning motion at any scan size.
Digital Instruments DimensionTM 3100 Scanning Probe Microscope
The Dimension 3100 is controlled with a Nanoscope IV controller. The NanoScope IV features up to ten-times-faster scanning, as well as increased functionality, bandwidth, flexibility and expandability.
BioCentury Research Farm
Location: 1327 U Avenue, Boone
Hours: Fall, winter, spring: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays;
Summer: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Other
hours by arrangement
Contact:Andrew Suby, Manager, ,
515-294-6300, 515-294-6261 (fax)
The BioCentury Research Farm (BCRF) is the first-in-the-nation integrated research and demonstration facility dedicated to biomass production and processing. It is located seven miles west of the Iowa State University campus on U.S. Highway 30. The BCRF offers opportunities for large pilot and pre-commercial scale research in biomass feedstock production, harvest, transport, storage, preparation, processing and laboratory testing. Field plots for crop production trials, field equipment modification and testing facilities, biomass storage facilities and biomass conversion facilities are available for internal and external users.
The biomass processing facility houses three 2,700-square-foot pilot plant processing trains which house biochemical thermochemical processing systems, four laboratories totaling 2,100 square feet, and over 1,400 square feet of office space. The BCRF also has 4,200 square feet of dry biomass feedstock storage and 420 square feet of cold storage. Services available at the BCRF include biomass feedstock production; biomass preparation (sizing and drying); fermentation production of fuels, industrial chemicals, and other products (50-, 200-, 500- and 1,000-liter capacities); thermochemical processing via fast pyrolysis at a rate of 450 kilograms/day, and gasification at a rate of 225 kilograms/day. The BCRF also has a 720-square-foot algal production facility capable of producing algal biomass of 1.3 - 4.5 kilograms/week. A new $5 million biopolymer processing plant which can process 500 kg/day has been built and commissioned for use.
The BCRF is administered by the Center for Crops Utilization Research.
Biomolecular Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility
Location: 0208 Molecular Biology Building
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; or by appointment
Contact:Bruce Fulton, Manager, ,
515-294-2139, 515-294-0453 (fax)
The Biomolecular Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility is supported by the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. The facility currently operates Bruker Avance II 700 and Avance III 800 spectrometers, each capable of performing a broad range of modern multi-nuclear, multi-dimensional NMR experiments on biomolecules. The 700 is equipped with a 5 mm H/C/N cryoprobe, a 5 mm H/C/BB conventional probe and a 3.2 mm H/BBX/BBY-MAS solids probe. The 800 is equipped with a 5 mm H/C/N cryoprobe, a 5 mm H/C/BB conventional probe and 3.2 mm H/C/N-P and H/C/D solids probes.
The facility has computational resources for processing and analyzing NMR data and obtaining molecular structures. The facility provides consultation on the application of NMR to solve research problems. NMR data can be acquired and interpreted as an analytical service. Projects larger in scope can be pursued on a collaborative basis. In the latter case, the facility will provide training and guidance for researchers to operate instruments and interpret data.
Chemical Instrumentation Facility
Location: 1234 Hach Hall
Hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week; professional help
available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
Contact:Steve Veysey, Manager, ,
515-294-5805
The Chemical Instrumentation Facility has more than five million dollars’ worth of analytical instrumentation available to faculty, graduate students, industry and other educational institutions. The staff of five highly-qualified professionals supports university research by keeping the analytical equipment available and operable and by providing application support and user training. Services available to the research community include the following:
Magnetic Resonance
Six NMR spectrometers of varying frequencies from 300 to 600 MHz are available. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows the use of atomic nuclei as magnetic probes within a molecule. Chemical analysis and
spatial orientation are determined by using this technique. A fully equipped EPR system also is available. Equipment located in the
facility includes a Bruker Avance II 600 NMR with cryoprobe-solution and solids capability, a Bruker Avance III 600 (solution) NMR, Bruker DRX-400 and DRX-500 NMRs, an Agilent MR-400 NMR, a Varian VXR-300 NMR, and a fully-equipped Bruker E-580 FT-EPR.
Mass Spectrometry
The mass spectrometry lab is equipped to provide both low- and high-resolution GC-MS on mixtures and high-resolution measurements for determining the elemental composition of pure samples and multi-component mixtures. Electrospray and APCI are used routinely for the ionization of medium and higher molecular weight compounds, including synthetic organics and compounds of biological origin. Three dedicated LC-MS instruments are available for routine work and special projects. MS-MS (parent-daughter relationship) experiments are routine. Equipment located in the facility includes a Waters Micromass GCT- GCMS, a Shimadzu LCMS2020, a Finnegan LCQ LCMS, and an Agilent 6540 Q-TOF LC MSMS.
Preparative HPLC
The Agilent PrepStar SD-1 preparative HPLC system is capable of flows ranging from 1-2 mls per minute (analytical) to 200 mls per minute
(preparative). The system includes two pumps, a dual-wavelength
detector, fraction collector and complete data system for instrument
control and data processing. Both semi-prep (9 mm i.d.) and preparative (21 mm i.d.) columns are available for use for an additional fee.
X-ray Diffraction
A completely equipped X-ray diffraction laboratory provides instrumentation for the study of the molecular structures of small molecules and powders. The equipment includes Bruker APEX II CCD and SMART 1000 single-crystal diffractometers equipped with low-temperature
devices and a Rigaku Ultima 4 powder diffractometer available for
general use. The facility’s crystallographer provides complete reports that are suitable for publication.
Spectrophotometry
A variety of spectrophotometers is available for routine use in the facility. These instruments provide fingerprint spectra for characterizing and identifying compounds. These instruments currently include a Bruker IFS 66V FT-IR, a Hewlett-Packard HP-8453 Diode Array UV-Vis, a Cary 100 Bio double beam UV-Vis, and a Jasco J-710 circular dichroism spectrophotometer.
Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC)
A Microcal ITC is available to study the thermodynamics of chemical reactions initiated by the addition of a binding component. It is often used to characterize biomolecular interactions.
Elemental Analysis
A Perkin-Elmer Model 2400 Series II CHN/S elemental analyzer is available for sample submission or for investigator use. Normally, the instrument is configured for carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, but sulfur also can be analyzed upon special request.
Surface Studies
A Micromeritics ASAP2020 BET instrument is available to study
physisorption, Langmuir surface areas, and the distribution of macro, meso and micropores.
Thermal Studies
A Netzsch STA449F1 TGA/DSC instrument is coupled to a mass spectrometer and an FTIR. This allows simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric and evolved gas studies to be performed in one measurement.
Particle Size and Zeta Potential
A Malvern Zetasizer-Nano is used to measure particle size and zeta-potential. Several cell types are available. The instrument includes an MPT-2 titrator and degasser so that zeta-potential may be studied as a function of titratable parameters.
Comparative Pathology Core Service
Location: 2720 Veterinary Medicine
Hours: By appointment, Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact:Jesse M. Hostetter, Manager, ,
515-294-0953
The Comparative Pathology Core Service (CPC) provides pathology support services and consultation for investigators working with animal models of human and animal diseases. The veterinary pathologists in the CPC provide gross and microscopic tissue examination, and clinical pathology evaluation.
In addition, the core can develop and implement ancillary techniques which include immunohistochemical methods, RNAscope (in situ hybridization), fluorescence microscopy, morphometry and photomicroscopy. CPC costs are based on histopathology lab services and pathologists’ effort. More detailed information can be obtained by contacting the CPC.
Confocal Microscopy and Multiphoton Facility
Location: 0117 Molecular Biology Building
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and as arranged
Contact:Margie Carter, Manager, ,
515-294-7629
The Confocal and Multiphoton Facility of the Office of Biotechnology provides confocal and multiphoton instrumentation and training for internal and external researchers.
Confocal microscopes remove out-of-focus fluorescent light from the image, allowing clearer imaging of the sample, including the ability to view structures and components that were obscured by excess fluorescence that would be generated by standard fluorescence microscopes. Some applications of confocal microscopy include fluorescence microscopy when spatial distribution of cellular or other structures is important to the research being conducted, acquisition of a stack of images that can be used for 3D-reconstruction, viewing structures in thick tissue and removing background and cross-talk fluorescence or fluorescence from other structures that obscure viewing of the desired structure.