CRePE:
Molecular Biology Core
FacilityThe resources and
technical support available in the
existing Molecular Biology Core Facility
will be enhanced to better support
molecular biology research done by CRePE
researchers by providing DNA sequencing
services, as well as training and
technical assistance in the use of
various molecular biological methods.
This will be done by acquiring a
multiple capillary DNA sequencer and
robotic liquid handling equipment. These
resources are not only required for
CRePE
research but will also
provide direct benefit to others at the
University of Idaho who are engaged in
research related to human health.
The Molecular Biology Core
Facility was created in 1995 as an
NIH-IdEA grant awarded to the
University. Its primary goal is to
enhance the research capability of
investigators from a variety of
disciplines on the campus. It
provides an excellent environment in
which hands-on training can be obtained
for:
nucleic acid
purification,
enzymatic
manipulation of DNA and RNA,
electrophoresis of
nucleic acids and proteins,
DNA sequencing,
molecular
bioinformatics,
PCR,
hybridization
analysis of nucleic acids,
construction of
recombinant DNA molecules including
cDNA and genomic libraries,
production/purification of recombinant
proteins, and DNA/protein
interactions (e.g. mobility shift
analysis and DNA footprinting).
These methodologies
as well as mammalian and bacterial
cell culture can all be performed
within the Core laboratory. The
dynamic capability of the Core
Facility allows for an investigator to
carry out any aspect of a research
project from the initial
characterization stage through
cloning, mutagenesis and ultimately
expression. The Core Facility
contains a Bio-Rad phosphorimaging
system thereby enhancing our data
acquisition capability. In
addition, the core maintains two
Micron Pentium-Pro workstations to
facilitate data analysis and
molecular/mathematical modeling.
Additional equipment items for
ultracentrifugation, cryostorage,
histology, photography and
autoradiography are available in
department common use areas.
The activities of the core
laboratory are currently focused on the
following three target areas: (i)
teaching, (ii) consulting and (iii)
collaboration. Both structured and
individualized training is available.
Consulting activities range from simple
experimental advice and troubleshooting
to assistance in experimental design and
incorporation of ideas and preliminary
data into proposals. Active
scientific collaborations have been
initiated with various Principle
Investigators, which serves to enhance
the scientific capabilities of the
Facility.
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