Advanced Technology Core Laboratories are an essential part of the successful research enterprise of Baylor College of Medicine. Core facilities provide state-of-the-art instrumentation and technologies to support research of all faculty on a fee-for-service basis.
Advanced Cell Engineering and 3D Models Core
The Advanced Cell Engineering and 3D Models (ACE-3M) Core is a newly reorganized facility that represents a merger of the prior Advanced In Vivo Models (AIM) and Cell Based Assay Screening Services (C-BASS) Cores. The merged core is physically relocated in T143 (1st floor Taub building on main BCM campus). The ACE-3M Core will continue to provide established services offered previously by AIM and C-BASS cores plus new expanded capabilities for organoids grown in 3D matrices including from patient derived primary tumors (PDO) and from mouse PDX collections from different organ/disease types.
Visit the Advanced Cell Engineering and 3D Models Core website.
Core Director: Jun Xu, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-8987
Email: ATC-ACE3MCore@bcm.edu
Core Director: Hugo Villanueva, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-0118
Email: ATC-ACE3MCore@bcm.edu
Antibody-Based Proteomics Core
The Antibody-Based Proteomics Core provides highly customized services for targeted proteomics platforms that are valuable tools for both validation and protein biomarker discovery, particularly for low abundance regulatory proteins and activation states of proteins with phosphorylated antibodies. Services provided include reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA) with over 240 antibodies for total and phosphoproteins of major cell signaling pathways, and Luminex bead technology for multiplex quantitative analyses of intracellular and extracellular signaling proteins. Visit the Antibody-Based Proteomics Core website.
Core Director: Shixia Huang, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-8722
Email: atc-abpcore@bcm.edu
Bioengineering Core
The Bioengineering Core provides scientific instrumentation resources that catalyze the success of investigators by providing them with tools needed to design elegant experiments and ask truly cutting-edge research questions. Investigators from within and outside of Baylor College of Medicine are welcome. Services include customized scientific instrumentation design and manufacture, including electronics and optics. Visit the Bioengineering Core website.
Academic Director: Fabrizio Gabbiani, Ph.D.
Core Director: I-Chih Tan, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-9168
Email: atc-bioengineeringcore@bcm.edu
Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource Core
The Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource (BISR) provides investigators with state-of-the-art biostatistical, bioinformatics, and high-performance computational infrastructure support for clinical, translational and basic science research. Major services include biostatistics and analytics, experimental design, assistance with design and conduct of clinical trials, and multi-omics data analysis. Visit the Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource Core website.
Academic Director: Susan Hilsenbeck, Ph.D.
Co-Director for General Biostatistics: Charles Minard, Ph.D.
Email: sgh@bcm.edu
CAMRI-Core for Advanced MRI Imaging
The Core for Advanced MRI (CAMRI) provides technology and services for advanced imaging studies of the function, physiology and anatomy of humans and large animals, with a special emphasis on blood-oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) of the human brain. The center houses two 3T PrismaFit Siemens MRI Scanners. A full complement of product pulse sequences are available for high-resolution structural imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), fMRI, Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) and single and multi-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Research sequences are available for specialized imaging applications. For functional studies, equipment is available for stimulation of the auditory, visual, somatosensory and gustatory modalities, for infrared eye tracking of subject eye position, and for manual and vocal response recording. Users can scan with a MR technologist, or can elect to obtain training to scan independently. Visit the Core for Advanced MRI (CAMRI).
Academic Director: Chadi Abdallah, Ph.D.
Technical Director: Lacey Delay, MSRS, RT(R)(MR)
Program Manager: Chris Averill
Email: camri@bcm.edu
CryoEM Core
The CryoEM Core provides state-of-the-art services for imaging and 3-D reconstruction of individual molecules, macromolecules and, in limited situations, macromolecular structure within cells. This technique can provide structures at resolutions comparable to X-ray crystallography without the need to grow crystals, and with very small quantities of material. We are equipped with three Cryo TEMs all with current-generation direct detector technology, and our services range from specimen screening to high-resolution data collection and reconstruction. Visit the CryoEM Core website.
Academic Director: Steve Ludtke, Ph.D.
Co-Director: Zhao Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-6989
Email: atc-cryoemcore@bcm.edu
Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core
The Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core is a state-of-the-art facility offering assisted and unassisted flow cytometric services. Instrumentation includes FACSAria cell sorters with up to 13 colors plus forward and side scatter, LSRII Analyzers with high through-put 96 well sample loading plates, VI-Cell counter, AutoMACS magnetic bead cell sorter and workstations with data analysis software. High-parameter cytometry is also available including the Fluidigm Helios Mass Cytometer with Hyperion imaging system (100+ potential channels) and a 30+ parameter BD Symphony A5 flow cytometer. The shared resource provides training on all instruments, assists with data analysis and design of experiments, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for trained users. Visit the Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core website.
Academic Director: Christine Beeton, Ph.D.
Core Director: Joel Sederstrom, M.B.S.
Phone: 713-798-3868
Email: ccsc@bcm.edu
Gene Vector Core
The Gene Vector Core provides comprehensive services related to viral vectors and gene cloning. The service is open to all national and international institutions (non-profit and profit). We produce common viral vectors including Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV), First Generation Adenovirus (FGAd), Helper-Dependent Adenovirus (HDAd), Lentivirus (LV), Retrovirus (RV), and G-deleted Rabies Virus (RaV). With the use of cutting-edge technologies, we strive to provide high-quality products at competitive prices. Visit the Gene Vector Core website.
Director: Kazuhiro Oka, Ph.D.
Co-Director: Corinne Sonnet, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-4409
Email: genevector@bcm.edu
Genetically Engineered Rodent Models Core
The Genetically Engineered Rodent Models Core possesses specialized expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to assist investigators with projects involving the production of transgenic, targeted knockout, and targeted knock-in mouse lines. Knockout and knock-in mouse lines can be generated using gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells with chimera production or CRISPR genome editing in mouse zygotes. For projects involving CRISPR genome editing, the GERM Core offers a genome editing designs service and a CRISPR on-and off-target mutagenesis genotyping service. The core also provides services for cryopreservation, rederivation, in vitro fertilization, and rapid expansion of mouse lines. Visit the Genetically Engineered Rodent Models Core website.
Academic Director: Jason Heaney, Ph.D.
Technical Director: Lan Liao, MS
Phone: 713-798-1981
Email: germcore@bcm.edu
Genomic and RNA Profiling Core
The Genomic and RNA Profiling Core (GARP) provides researchers access to state-of-the-art genomics profiling technology and services including Next-Generation Sequencing on Illumina platforms (iSeq 100, NextSeq 500 and NovaSeq 6000) and the NanoString nCounter technology for targeted gene interrogation. Our library prep automation system (SMARTer Apollo) enables us to process low- and high-throughput projects with minimal batch effects. Also available are automated DNA size selection on the Pippin HT and nucleic acid shearing on the Covaris LE220. GARP serves as a source for sample quality control, experimental design and NGS expertise. Visit the Genomic and RNA Profiling Core website.
Core Director: Daniel Kraushaar, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-7699
Email: garpcore@bcm.edu
Human Stem Cell and Neuronal Differentiation Core
The Human Stem Cell and Neuronal Differentiation Core provides a wide range of products and services related to human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) research, as well as hands-on training classes for basic and advanced stem cell culture techniques. We offer cost-effective solutions to generate and characterize new induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for in vitro disease modeling, employing non-integrating vector technologies such as Sendai virus-based and episomal vector-based reprogramming. We also offer customized research support for experimental design and validation assays, as well as genome editing of hPSCs using CRISPR/Cas9. Visit the Human Stem Cell and Neuronal Differentiation website.
Core Director: Aleksandar Bajic, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-7471
Email: atc-stemcellcore@bcm.edu
Human Tissue Acquisition and Pathology Core
The Human Tissue Acquisition and Pathology Core provides tissue and serum-related services to researchers that includes histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) and organization of the different tissue banks at BCM. Histology and IHC of human and experimental animal tissues are available on a fee-for-service basis. Services include tissue processing, embedding, sectioning and staining for routine histology (H&E, PAS, ORO, Trichrome, VVG, Giemsa), IHC and TUNEL assay for apoptosis. Also available are laser capture microdissection, archival tissue microarrays (TMA), image analysis by Inform and Vectra and consultation with pathologists. Visit the Human Tissue Acquisition and Pathology Core website.
Academic Director: Michael Ittmann, M.D., Ph.D.
Core Director: Patricia Castro, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-6196
Email: pathologycore@bcm.edu
Integrated Microscopy Core
The Integrated Microscopy Core is designed to provide high-quality microscopy and analytics services through availability of state-of-the-art imaging instrumentation, custom image analysis, one-on-one training by expert staff, plus free consultation for experimental setup, data acquisition and analysis. The IMC covers most of the investigators’ needs in the areas of light microscopy with particular emphasis on super-resolution techniques, high throughput/high content phenotypic screening (assay development/validation), live imaging, multi-dimensional spatial analysis in tissue and cell culture samples, 3-D culture models imaging and custom image analysis pipelines and data analytics. Visit the Integrated Microscopy Core website.
Academic Director: Michael Mancini, Ph.D.
Core Director: Michael Bolt , Ph.D.
Phone: 713-876-3484
Email: atc-integratedmicroscopy@bcm.edu
Macromolecular X-Ray Crystallography Core
The Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography Core provides a centralized and cost-efficient solution to determine the atomic structures of biologically important macromolecules. Unlike other structure analysis techniques, X-ray crystallography is not limited by the size or complex nature of the macromolecule of interest. One of the major advantages of this technique is that atomic resolution structural information is obtained routinely, revealing intimate details regarding the stereochemistry of the molecular interactions underlying the biological function of the macromolecule of interest. Visit the Macromolecular X-Ray Crystallography Core website.
Academic Director: Francis T.F. Tsai, Ph.D.
Core Director: Sukyeong Lee, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-4390
Email: slee@bcm.edu
Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core
The Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core features state-of-the-art Thermo Scientific Orbitrap instruments (Lumos ETD Tribrid, Q-Exactive Plus, Fusion Tribrid, Explorer 480) and offers comprehensive service packages for proteome-wide label-free quantitative profiling of cells and tissues, isolation and identification of protein complexes via immunoprecipitation and other affinity methods followed by mass spectrometry, post-translational modification analysis, and routine protein identification from purified samples. Full support is provided that includes project evaluation and design, biochemical purifications, mass spectrometry sequencing, and data analysis. Visit the Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core website.
Academic Director: Anna Malovannaya, Ph.D.
Core Directors: Antrix Jain, M.S.
Email: msproteomicscore@bcm.edu
Metabolomics Core
The Metabolomics Shared Resource provides various metabolomic procedures for discovery and validation of small molecular weight compound biomarkers of various diseases with state-of-the-art high mass spectrometry as the main technology platform. Services include quantitative targeted steady-state analysis of metabolites (up to 500 metabolites) for a wide range of analyte classes derived from biofluids, cell lines or tissues. Services also include measurement of flux in cell lines and in mice through various metabolic pathways by 13C-isotopomer methods, structural identification of unknown molecules and unbiased lipidomics profiling. Visit the Metabolomics Core website.
Academic Director: Nagireddy Putluri, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-3139
Email: MetabolomicsCore@bcm.edu
MHC Tetramer Core
The Tetramer Production Core provides customized MHC/peptide tetramers for identification of antigen-specific T lymphocytes by flow cytometry. Tetramers and/or their derivatives are provided for research purposes only; their use for commercial purposes is prohibited. Visit the MHC Tetramer Core website.
Director: Xiaochi Lily Wang, M.S.
Phone: 713-798-3918
Email: atc-mhctetramercore@bcm.edu
Mouse Metabolism and Phenotyping Core
The Mouse Metabolism and Phenotyping Core is a comprehensive fee-for-service rodent phenotyping core that contains a multitude of testing capabilities for the assessment of rodent models from embryo to adult. The MMPC provides a variety of state-of-the-art equipment and techniques with the goal to standardize key methodologies and to expedite comprehensive research analyses on diseases related to cancer, cardiovascular dysfunction, metabolic disorders, mouse models of human disease, and drug studies. The MMPC also supports the application of advanced analysis of metabolic pathways and related physiological and biochemical parameters in mice and rats, as well as in isolated / cultured cells in vitro. Metabolic assays offered include hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in conscious mice, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, oxygen consumption rate and extra cellular acidification rate measurements from cells in culture plates, DEXA and Echo MRI, CLAMS, real time body temperature monitoring, home cage activity monitoring, MRI, CT, ultrasound, Xray, bioluminescence imaging, indirect calorimetry, telemetry, and non-invasive blood pressure measurements. Workstations for image reconstruction and data analysis are also available. Core personnel provide consultation on selecting the appropriate tests and procedures, and the interpretation of data. Visit the Mouse Metabolism and Phenotyping Core website.
Core Director: Christopher Ward, Ph.D.
Co-Director: Pradip Saha, Ph.D.
Email: mmpc-atc@bcm.edu
NMR and Drug Metabolism Core
The NMR and Drug Metabolism Core offers tools to support the discovery, synthesis, screening, optimization, metabolism and pharmacokinetics of small molecule ligands or lead compounds. Our 600 and 800 MHz Bruker nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers are available for unassisted use by trained users, and expert services are available to determine small molecule identity or conformation, to identify and quantify metabolites, to determine macromolecular structure or detect perturbations upon ligand binding, or to screen compound libraries against purified targets. DNA-encoded technology available through the Center for Drug Discovery allows affinity-based selection of millions of different molecules in a single tube to identify those that most tightly bind a tagged, purified protein. We investigate the metabolism, metabolic stability, and pharmacokinetics of small molecular weight compounds using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS and MS/MS). In addition to analyzing biological fluids or tissues, we assay stability in liver microsomes and perform reaction phenotyping against an array of CYP450s. Core personnel provide advice on the use of the supported methods for a wide variety of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) applications and assistance is available in project experimental design and data analysis. Visit the NMR and Drug Metabolism Core website.
Academic Director: Kevin MacKenzie, Ph.D.
Email: Kevin.MacKenzie@bcm.edu
Phone: 281-773-2672
Co-Director: Feng Li, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-3623
Operations Director: Kim Kerlec
Phone: 713-798-8132
Email: atc-drugmetabolismcore@bcm.edu
Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core
The Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core is a full-service microscopy lab equipped with cutting-edge 3D imaging tools including the latest generation confocal, 2-photon and super-resolution microscopes; Lightsheet, Optical Projection Tomography (OPT) and XRay µCT instruments as well as high speed, multi-spectral fluorescence imaging systems. OiVM instruments are designed for vital and intravital imaging of processes within cells, intact tissue explants, developing embryos and functioning organs within the live animal. In addition to cutting-edge imaging systems, the core provides tissue-clearing services utilizing CLARITY for intact organ and embryo imaging and advanced 3D rendering environments for data visualization and analysis. The OIVM core is open to all TMC institutions and offers assisted vs. unassisted use rates, bulk pricing, 24/7 independent user access, and a staff of experienced microscopists for consultation, experiment design, training and instruction on a wide variety of microscopy techniques. Visit the Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core website.
Senior Faculty Advisor: Mary E. Dickinson, Ph.D.
Academic Director: Jason M. Kirk
Core Director: Chih-Wei Llogan Hsu, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-6486 (OIVM)
Email: oivm@bcm.edu
Patient-derived Xenograft (PDX) Core
The Patient-Derived Xenograft Core was created to facilitate the establishment, characterization, and use of PDX models implanted into immunocompromised mice. Our core provides PDX-related tissues necessary for conducting histological or molecular biology analyses and resources for preclinical therapeutic treatment studies. The PDX core has created 120+ models from bladder, brain, breast, head and neck, lung, and ovarian cancer sites and collaborates closely with investigators at BCM and TCH whose programs have an additional 85+ models from leukemia, pediatric liver, pancreas, prostate, and sarcoma cancer sites. Visit the Patient-Derived Xenograft Core website.
Academic Director: Michael Lewis, Ph.D.
Core Director: Lacey Dobrolecki, MT, MS
Phone: 713-798-1538
Email: atc-pdxcore@bcm.edu
Population Sciences Biorepository Core
The Population Sciences Biorepository Shared Resource provides risk factor and clinical data collection and a centralized facility for biospecimen processing and storage from epidemiological and clinical studies. Services are available for individual investigators as well as for clinical centers that require prospective banking of patient specimens. Clinical coordinators can assist with consenting, phlebotomy, and data collection. The PSB also provides laboratory services including: full fractionation and aliquoting for blood samples; DNA extraction from whole blood, buffy coat, or saliva; and RNA extraction from whole blood. Visit the Population Sciences Biorepository Core website.
Director: Michael Scheurer, Ph.D.
Co-Director: Micheline M Resende, Ph.D.
Email: atc-psbcorelab@bcm.edu
Recombinant Protein Production and Characterization Core
The mission of the Core is the expression, purification and molecular/biophysical characterization of high-quality recombinant proteins suitable for experimental applications such as biochemical analyses, macromolecular structure and as therapeutic targets for drug development projects. Expression of recombinant proteins of interest is offered with options in three different overexpression systems; E. Coli, baculovirus (SF9 insect cells), and mammalian (Expi293F cells). Molecular/biophysical characterization of purified proteins includes protein-folding, stability, protein-protein and protein ligand binding interactions, molecular size analysis, assembly/oligomerization and stoichiometry of complexes. Visit the Recombinant Protein Production and Characterization Core website.
Faculty Advisor: Dean P. Edwards, Ph.D.
Academic Core Director: Josephine Ferreon, Ph.D.
Techincal Core Director: Patrick Suess, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-2325, 713-798-5012, 713-798-1756
Email: atc-recombinant-protein@bcm.edu
RNA-In Situ Hybridization Core
The RNA-In Situ Hybridization core provides services and equipment to determine gene expression patterns in rodent and human tissues. We can process and section tissue (frozen or paraffin), prepare labeled RNA probes, perform high-throughput in situ hybridization, image and quantify the gene expression levels. Visit the RNA In Situ Hybridization Core website.
Director: Cecilia Ljungberg, Ph.D.
Phone: 832-824-8873
Email: atc-rnacore@bcm.edu
Single Cell Genomics Core
The Single Cell Genomics Core provides comprehensive services for RNA and chromatin profiling on single or a small number of cells. The core is equipped with the 10x Genomics Chromium Platform, the Takara icell8 platform, and the Fluidigm C1 auto cell prep platforms. The combination of these platforms allows cost-effective and high throughput genomics profiling that matches with the experiments. Next-gen sequencing of libraries prepared by the SCGC is done as a collaboration with the Genomics and RNA Profiling Core. Visit the Single Cell Genomics Core website.
Academic Director: Rui Chen, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-5194
Technical Core Director: Yumei Li, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-7565
Email: singlecellgenomicscore@bcm.edu
Zebrafish Genetic and Phenotyping Core
The Zebrafish Genetic and Phenotyping Core provides specialized expertise and equipment for generation of transgenic and mutant zebrafish, chemical and genetic screening to identify phenotypes of interest, fluorescence microscopy of embryos and larvae to identify transgenic strains, assaying development of embryos and larvae as a proxy for human and other model organism health and development, and cryopreservation of zebrafish sperm. The Zebrafish Genetic and Phenotyping Core will also assist users in preparing zebrafish for experiments requiring live imaging, microscopy, next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry. Visit the Zebrafish Core.
Academic Director: Daniel Gorelick, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-798-3210
Technical Director: Lauren Pandolfo
Phone: 713-798-2630
Email: Lauren.Pandolfo@bcm.edu
