Members of the COBRE Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology have critical need for access to both basic services and state-of-the-art technologies with which to address their research.  The overall goal of the multi-purpose Molecular Analysis Core is to make this access as comprehensive as possible.  The Core provides instrumentation and technical support on a daily basis for assays and services that meet the basic needs of all CMTV members.  These include but are not limited to dishwashing, waste disposal and preparation of sterile glassware and commonly used technologies such as real-time PCR, immunofluorescence microscopy, tissue sectioning, and spectrometric analysis.  The Core will takes responsibility for maintaining a central, continuously monitored and catalogued liquid nitrogen storage system for biological reagents.  We provide supplemental support to CMTV members who need more extensive use of the institutional Research Core Facilities (RCF) and Animal Resource Facility (ARF).  This support includes negotiation of special fees for use of RCF facilities, negotiation of reduced prices for purchase in bulk of supplies such as DNA arrays, and direct payment of selected fees for investigators who make suitable justifications of need.  The services of the RCF include cell imaging, flow cytometry, genomics, mass spectrometry/proteomics and small animal imaging.  The ARF is staffed by certified animal care professionals and offers excellent care for the care and housing of experimental animals.  The dual strategy of centralizing essential basic services and helping investigators gain access to the most sophisticated or more expensive technologies reduces costs without duplication of services and it greatly expands the research horizons of CMTV investigators. 

Supported by a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (8 P20 GM103433-10)