Core Laboratories
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A Depth of Core Expertise
Often key data in a research study is captured through the services of a core laboratory. As an academic medical center, we maintain highly specialized equipment and expert technicians in-house in our core labs. By utilizing these services at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, you can save time on your research study. Browse our core laboratories available to industry below.
Biomarker Analytical Core
A CLIA-certified laboratory housed under the Hypertension and Vascular Research Center, the Biomarker Analytical Core performs analyses of radioimmunoassays, enzyme-immunoassay and enzymatic assays for clinical and research purposes. The laboratory has participated in National Institutes of Health, U.S. Food & Drug Administration and pharmaceutical company-sponsored studies and has extensive experience with multi-center initiatives. The core has the latest equipment to conduct multiplex assays using the Auchon Cirra Scan Imaging System.
Cell and Viral Vector Laboratory
Part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, this core provides establishment of cell lines from primary murine and human tissue explants, production of virus stocks for gene transfer and large-scale expansion of tumor cell lines for downstream applications. The lab houses specialized equipment such as the Caliper IVIS100 In Vivo Imaging System, which increases the versatility of experimental techniques in this area of research.
Cellular Imaging
A full-service microscopy laboratory providing access to equipment and technical support for electron, brightfield/fluorescence and confocal/multiphoton microscopy, the Cellular Imaging core is equipped to carry out all phases of sample preparation for electron microscopy, and its staff has expertise in human disease, zoology and materials science imaging.
Crystallography & Computational Biosciences
This core laboratory provides access to X-ray crystallographic equipment, technical support, high-performance computing and scientific consultation with an emphasis on biological processes related to cancer such as cell signaling, transcriptional regulation, DNA damage and repair, lipid metabolism and redox regulation. The lab exists to meet the growing needs for structure determination and computational analysis of protein and DNA/RNA structure, function and dynamics for projects ranging from basic science to drug design.
Diet Laboratory
As part of the Section of Comparative Medicine, the Diet Laboratory has developed over 1,500 diets for nonhuman primates and other animals. The lab specializes in diets for animal models that closely mimic the nutritional context within which human disease develops. In addition to their database of diets, the team can design custom diets to meet experimental needs while providing adequate nutrition for the target species. The staff is also trained to identify sources of ingredients, test nutrient content of ingredients, incorporate test compounds into diets and archive samples and formulas for future use.
Flow Cytometry Laboratory
This lab provides analysis and sorting of cells using up to nine fluorescent parameters. Examples of analyses available from the Flow Cytometry Lab include DNA content measurement, cell cycle specific nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins, apoptosis markers, stem cell populations, cell surface markers, cell viability and membrane potential. Cell lysates can also be analyzed with bead substrate based immunoassays.
Pathology Labs
A robust system of pathology labs at Wake Forest Baptist encompasses a wide range of pathological analyses broken into subspecialties. The Anatomic Pathology Lab studies tissue or cells removed through surgery or biopsy. Clinical Pathology focuses on blood and microbiology analysis. The HLA/Immunogenetics Lab is dedicated to major organ transplants and diseases associated with certain HLA-antigens.
Lipid, Lipoprotein and Atherosclerosis Analysis
Providing services in analytical and quantitative measurements of lipid and lipoprotein endpoints as well as in atherosclerosis evaluations in animal models, the Lipid, Lipoprotein and Atherosclerosis Analysis lab offers an array of analyses including major lipid class quantification, lipid class fatty acid analysis, plasma and tissue sterol analysis, dietary compositional analysis, plasma lipoprotein isolation and quantification and isolation of plasma lipoproteins, among others. These analyses are supported by capabilities in gas liquid chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, preparative ultracentrifugation, RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and quantitative PCR.
Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Core
Through the Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Lab, industry partners can access expertise in bioenergetics and state-of-the-art bioenergetic profiling technologies. The lab supports a full range of basic, translational and clinical research and can develop assays customized to your research question. Services available include whole cell respirometry and glycolytic function, fuel utilization assays, mitochondrial isolation, mitochondrial function and high resolution respirometry and more.
Molecular Partners
This core laboratory offers biophysical insights into biomedical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological research through capabilities and expertise in biological macromolecules. Through Molecular Partners, you can access biotechnologies including surface plasmon resonance, UV/visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroic spectroscopy, light scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation.
Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials
The Center specializes in the understanding and control of nanoengineered composite structures and their internal interactions, structure-property relations, mechanical, optical, thermal, and electronic characteristics. The Center offers services and capabilities in a range of nanotechnology manufacturing and applications, including cybernetics and bionics, green technologies, fundamental materials design, microscopy and spectroscopy, supported by facilities like a Class 1000 clean room, solar testing facility and synthesis lab.
Preclinical Microultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging Core
This core provides access to, technical support of and data processing for the Vevo LAZR Photoacoustic imaging system for studies of preclinical rodent models. This technology platform provides non-invasive functional, anatomic and visual information, including never-before-seen insights into cellular environment and flow of blood.
Proteomics & Metabolomics Shared Resource
Access a wide range of mass spectrometry services through our Proteomics and Metabolomics Shared Resource, affiliated with the Comprehensive Cancer Center. The core lab provides services in protein identification, targeted metabolomics, pharmacokinetics, phospholipid analysis and protein purification, supported by a fleet of mass spectrometers and related equipment.
Translational Imaging Program
Capitalize on the state-of-the-art imaging modalities at Wake Forest Baptist through the Translational Imaging Program. Specialized imaging modalities include a Siemens MAGNETOM Skyra 3T MRI Scanner, a Toshiba 32-slice Aquilion CT Scanner dedicated to animal imaging, a GE PETtrace 10 Cyclotron and a GE 16-slice PET/CT Discovery ST Scanner. Technologists provide support on all of these imaging modalities, as well as assistance with imaging informatics. Studies can make use of a range of imaging facilities, including an MRI research facility, two organic chemistry labs, metabolite analysis lab and radiochemistry lab.
Tumor Tissue and Pathology Shared Resource
Comprised of the Tumor Tissue, Human Pathology and Comparative Pathology labs, the Tumor Tissue and Pathology Shared Resource collects and supplies human and animal tissues to support translational cancer research. The Shared Resource also provides pathology services, including expert consultation, banked tumor and matched normal tissue specimens, as well as human pathology and comparative pathology services.
Virtual Microscopy Core
Access the expertise and technology of the Virtual Microscopy Core to generate detailed virtual images of glass slides by using state-of-the-art digital technology. The experts of the Virtual Microscopy Core use the Olympus VS-110 Virtual Imaging System and a Hammamatsu NanoZoomer to create micrographs that allow 3D viewing and manipulation. The lab’s capabilities enable researchers to perform measurements and quantitative analysis more efficiently and to capture images with the clarity.
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