Research Support Facilities
Faculty, staff, and students across campus may use the services of these facilities for a reasonable fee. See below for descriptions. Most of these facilities are administered by the Office of Vice Chancellor for Research; some are administered by other units.
- Central Research Shop
- DNA Sequencing & Allele Analysis Facility
- Elemental Analysis Services
- Genomics & Robotics Services
- IMAGE (advanced microscopy; computer graphics and photography, including conference posters)
- Laboratory Animal Program
- Mass Spectrometry Facility
- NMR Facility
Central Research Shop
www.shops.siuc.edu/cenrsrch
453-2022, Engineering B55, mailcode 6603
Senior Research Lab Mechanic: Greg Moroz
Provides technical and machining services in the design, construction, modification, repair, and testing of custom as well as standard laboratory equipment used to fulfill special research requirements. Also provides electromechanical repair services.
DNA Sequencing & Allele Analysis Facility
www.siu.edu/~pbgc/Services/automated.htm
453-5727 or 453-3121, Public Policy Institute Basement B7, mailcode 4415
Operator: Ali Srour; Director: Dr. David Lightfoot (453-1797)
Provides two-day DNA sequencing services, and same-day user center support, for plasmid, PCR, and BAC DNA. Short courses to teach the sequencing techniques are held regularly. The facility has PE377 gel sequencers as well as ABI3700 and CEQ8000 capillary sequencers. Sequences are derived from DNA or colonies in tubes or plates. Provides fragment size analysis with fluorescent labeled probes for microsatellites and other genetic markers. High-resolution melt available. Real-time PCR available. Visible or UV light excited fluors used.
Elemental Analysis Services
www.plantbiology.siu.edu/faculty/ebbs/eas.html
536-2331, 420 Life Science II, mailcode 6509
Director: Dr. Stephen Ebbs
Provides sample preparation and elemental analysis services for tissue, soil, and water samples. Equipment is a Varian 220 FS atomic absorption spectrometer, determination by flame or graphite furnace.
Genomics & Robotics Services
www.siu.edu/~pbgc/Services/robotic.htm
453-2606 or 453-3121, Public Policy Institute Basement B1, mailcode 4415
Manager: Ali Srour; Director: Dr. David Lightfoot (453-1797)
Provides robotic services attuned to high-throughput marker assisted selection, BAC and cDNA library construction and arraying, physical map generation, micro-array analysis, GMO content testing, genotyping and genetic identity testing. The facility has a Genomic solution GS2 for colony picking, 384 well plate assembly, cherry-picking, high clone density nylon filter generation, and micro-array generation; a GeneTAC for array analysis; an ABI6700 and Qia-extractor for high-throughput DNA and RNA extractions; and a Biomek2000 and two Hydras for liquid handling, reaction assembly, and automated agarose electrophoresis. Real-time PCR available.
IMAGE - Integrated Microscopy and Graphics Expertise
www.image.siuc.edu/
453-3730, 750 Communications Dr., mailcode 4402
Director: Dr. John Bozzola
Provides training, technical service and research in scanning electron, transmission electron, atomic-force, and light microscopy. Advanced capabilities include X-ray analysis, image analysis, and viewing of specimens under near-atmospheric conditions. See the web site for instrumentation available and microscopy fees.
IMAGE also administers a computer graphics and photography facility (476 Life Science II), which offers consultation and technical assistance to faculty and students who need posters for research conferences or photographs or illustrations for research publications. For computer graphics, call Steve at 453-3041; for photography, call Cheryl at 453-3043. A brochure with a price list is available from the facility.
Laboratory Animal Program
www.iacuc.siuc.edu
536-2346, 1062 Life Science III, mailcode 6506
Director: Dr. Joseph Scimeca
A centralized facility, accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, for housing vertebrate animals used in research or teaching activities. It is maintained under the direction of a board-certified veterinarian with specialized training in laboratory animal medicine to ensure proper and humane care and management of animals and compliance with federal regulations and guidelines. All research and/or teaching activities involving vertebrate animals must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee prior to commencing.
Mass Spectrometry Facility
www.mass-spec.siu.edu
453-6428, Neckers 103, mailcode 4409
Director: Dr. Mary Kinsel
Provides sample analysis, research, and training opportunities to the SIUC community. The facility has a ThermoFisher TRACE GC ultra/PolarisQ MS, an Applied Biosystems 4700 Proteomics Analyzer TOF-TOFMS, a Bruker Daltonics MicroFlex MS, and a Bruker Daltonics Esquire HCT MS equipped with an LCPackings nano-HPLC system.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility
opie.nmr.siu.edu
453-6498, Neckers A-36, mailcode 4405
Director: Dr. William Stevens
Centralized NMR lab for research and teaching. The facility houses three spectrometers: a state-of-the-art Varian four-channel Inova-500 system, a Varian dual-band Inova-300 system with a wide-bore magnet and available CP/MAS accessory for solid samples, and a Varian Mercury 400 MHz instrument with automated probe tuning. The Inova-500 and Inova-300 are both equipped with Sun Blade 150 computers running the latest NMR software; the Mercury 400 is equipped with a Sun Blade 1500 computer. A network of Sun computers and PCs enables supplemental NMR data processing, molecular modeling, and remote instructional NMR computing to X-windows clients.
