Research Facilities

DNA Sequencing Core Facility The DNA Sequencing Facility uses a 3100 Genetic Analyzer (capillary technology) to provide DNA sequencing for plasmids and PCR products. A Qiagen cabinet is also present in the lab to provide select DNA and RNA isolation kits. Contact: Allen Gies, 501-686-6927, giesallenj@uams.edu

DNA Damage and Toxicology Facility

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The DNA Damage and Toxicology Facility provides expertise/instrumentation to perform DNA damage and toxicology studies related to toxic or hypoxic tissue/cell injury in drug development, diseases or aging. In addition to offering standard assays for cytotoxicity (e.g., TUNEL or Comet assays), the facility helps investigators measure oxidative damage and quantify levels of apoptosis and necrosis in cells and tissues by using quantitative cytochemistry, immuno-cytochemistry techniques, and 3-D imaging. Contact: Alexei G. Basnakian 501-352-2870, basnakianalexeig@uams.edu

Experimental Pathology Laboratory

The Experimental Pathology Shared Resource provides centralized, comprehensive histological services, with convenient access to all services within one facility. Stringent quality control standards are maintained with GLP compliance upon request. The laboratory director, consultants, and technicians have extensive experience in routine histology and immunohistochemistry involving both human and animal tissues. Services include: processing and embedding of tissues, frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sections, routine staining, a wide range of special histochemical stains, immunohistochemisrty, veterinary pathology consultation, and digital slide scanning and analysis using the Aperio Scanscope. Contact: Leah Hennings, 501-526-7624, lhennings@uams.edu

Pharmacogenomics Facility

The Pharmacogenomics Facility provides gene expression including microRNA, for human, mouse/rat samples using Bead expression chips and BeadArray Reader. SNP chips are also performed (e.g., 1 million human SNPs and numerous CNVs can be detected with the 1 M-duo human SNP chip). The core has a dedicated Tecan Robot for post-processing of Infinium SNP Chips. The Illumina Genome Analyzer is a high-end sequencer and can be used for direct sequencing of any genome/cDNA library. The BeadXpress Reader works with Veracode technology resulting in high throughput and muliplex detection of SNPs, gene expression, and protein detection from a custom design. A QIAextractor robot performs extraction from any Qiagen kit. Contact: Marjorie L. Beggs, 501-296-1504 X1835, beggsmarjoriel@uams.edu

Proteomics Facility

Thermo vMALDI-LTQ mass spectrometer The Proteomics Facility provides mass spectrometric analysis and identification of proteins. It is equipped with a Thermo LTQ XL linear ion trap mass spectrometer with electron transfer dissociation capability, a PerkinElmer SCIEX MALDI-prOTOF mass spectrometer, a Waters Q-Tof Micro tandem mass spectrometer and a Thermo LTQ linear ion trap mass spectrometer. Additional gel band analysis equipment includes a ProPic imaging and spot-picking robot from Genomic Solutions, a ProGest in-gel enzymatic digestion robot from Genomic Solutions, and a Bio-Rad 2D gel electrophoresis system. Contact: Sam Mackintosh, 501-526-5978, mackintoshsamuelg@uams.edu

Transgenic Facility

The Transgenic Facility generates transgenic mice via pronuclear microinjection of DNA constructs supplied by users. Microinjections are performed in embryos obtained from C57BL/6 or CB6F1 (a cross between BALB/c and C57BL/6) mice. Personnel are also available for consultation regarding DNA construct design and animal husbandry. Contact: Charles O’Brien, 501-686-5607, caobrien@uams.edu, or Joseph Goellner, 501-940-7264, jjgoellner@uams.edu

Microbiology & Immunology Flow Cytometry

The Microbiology & Immunology Flow Cytometry Facilities provide researchers with an immensely powerful and diverse tool to measure multiple physical characteristics of individual cells in suspension. The flow cytometer can indicate relative cell size and density or complexity by measuring forward- and side-scattered laser light, respectively. In addition, the flow cytometer can measure relative fluorescence from fluorescent probes which bind to specific cell-associated molecules. Contact: Andrea Fox, 501-686-5145, afox@uams.edu

Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Imaging Facilities

The Xenogen IVIS Imaging System is a highly sensitive CCD camera optimized for biophotonic imaging (e.g. in vitro and in vivo assays using reporter cells tagged for bioluminescence and/or fluorescence). Contact: Bill Hogue, 501-686-8911, bhogue@uams.edu

Protein Biomarker Identification Facility

A facility for protein biomarker identification using SELDI (surface-enhanced laser disorption/ionization), the SELDI is utilized primarily for clinical biomarker discovery, identification and validation. Contact: Larry J. Suva, 501-526-6110, suvalarryj@uams.edu

Skeletal Phenotyping Facility

Performs high resolution skeletal imaging and analysis utilizing bone densitometry (DXA), perpipheral quantitated computed tomography (pQCT) or micro CT (uCT). Skeletons can be analyzed in vivo or ex vivo. When combined with histological evaluation, detailed insight into skeletal phenotype is obtained. Contact: Larry J. Suva, 501-526-6110, suvalarryj@uams.edu

Digital and Confocal Microscopy Laboratory

This facility operates and maintains computer controlled microscope workstations capable of static and time lapse (e.g. minutes to days) imaging of living cells. Fluorescence imaging and multicolor images from fixed and living samples are generated. Microscopes are inverted and designed for analysis of living cells. However, fixed samples may be studied as well. Contact: Richard Kurten, 501-686-8269, kurtenrichardc@uams.edu

Radiological Imaging Facility

The MicroPET Facility consists of a Siemens FOCUS MicroPET that can produce whole body or regional PET images of animals ranging in size from mice to small dogs; and can image the head and appendages of human subjects. An on-site cyclotron and a fully staffed Radiochemistry Laborotory provide a wide range of PET markers for research projects involving PET imaging. Custom PET Markers can also be developed in collaboration with the facility's staff.

Contact: Director: Michael J. Borrelli, 501-526-5897, mjborelli@uams.edu
Manager: Terri L. Alpe, 501-590-0457, alpeterril@uams.edu

Tissue Bank

The Tissue Bank is a UAMS-wide tissue procurement facility, coordinating/overseeing the donation, processing, storage, and dissemination of tissue specimens and related data for all UAMS researchers. Our inventory includes human tissues, serum, and bone marrow mononuclear cell extracts, with plans to bank urine and other fluid products. Our database is managed using caTissue, an online-accessible biorepository software. caTissue is part of caBIG®, an NIH-sponsored information network enabling the cancer community to share data and knowledge. Our database can be searched using pathological and clinical parameters. Contact: UAMS Tissue Bank or Rémelle Eggerson, 501-296-1504 x1705, rmeggerson@uams.edu.