IMM Core Facilities

Automated DNA Sequencing Core

Eric Boerwinkle, Ph.D.; 713.500.9803

An automated DNA sequencing core facility is accessible to all investigators. Protocols designed to make the core proficient in high through-put DNA sequencing have been implemented and the complete spectrum of DNA variation can be made available. Analytical methods have been developed so that analyses of these variant DNA sites may proceed in a logical manner. Finally, the staff of the core facility are developing novel experimental protocols to provide the most accurate data for analysis of DNA sequences necessary for the use of molecular biology techniques.

Flow Cytometry Core

David L. Haviland, Ph.D.; 713.500.2413

Flow cytometry is a technology that simultaneously measures multiple physical characteristics of single particles, usually cells. The flow cytometer uses a combination of fluidic, optical and electronic systems to measure cells individually and to collect data for subsequent analysis. The information obtained includes a cell's relative size, relative granularity or internal complexity, and relative fluorescent intensity of expressed cell surface markers.  The IMM is in possession of four state of the art flow cytometers. A 4 color Becton-Dickenson FACS Calibur analyzer and a digital 10 color BD FACS Vantage SE high speed cell sorter.  In addition, we also possess a BD FACS LSRII also capable of measuring 10 simultaneous colors and a 10 color BD FACS Aria high speed cell sorter.  These machines are used for research purposes on IMM projects and collaborative work with UTHSC-Houston.   Limited sorting and cell analysis services are available to the UT-HSC community, outside institutions and contract (industrial) work.  

Protein Chemistry Core

Rowen J.-Y. Chang, Ph.D.; 713.500.2458

The Protein Chemistry Core provides services to various research projects within the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, as well as to the UT-Houston Medical School. The core also provides service of IKAT and ITRAQ chemistry-based proteomics anqalysis. Services are provided on fee-per-analysis basis.

The core is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, including mass spectrometers, automatic protein sequencer, high performance liquid chromatography system, circular dichroism spectropolarimeter, fast protein liquid chromatography system, spectrophotometer, triple dectector array light scattering and lyophylizers that are required for identification, purification and structure-function analysis of proteins.