:: Research Facilities ::
Centralized facilities provide state-of-the-art equipment and expertise to support research projects. These facilities are described below.
- Biological Computer Resource Center (BCRC)
- Microscopy and Imaging Center
- Phosphorimager
- Automated DNA Sequencing Facility
- High Field NMR Facility
- Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Weight Determination
Biological Computer Resource Facility (BCRC)
The BCRC's
mission is to improve learning in the life sciences through instructional
technology. The BCRC provides access to a wide range of computer hardware
including twenty Power PC workstations available for student and faculty use.
The BCRC also provides assistance with Instruction Technology projects that
support undergraduate instruction in the life sciences.
The University’s Central Microscopy Facility offers state-of-the-art equipment and expertise, with emphasis on biological applications. It is organized so that students and faculty can obtain advice on their projects, and training on the instruments they will need to use. Once training is complete, the facility is available round the clock.
For light microscopy applications, a Nikon Optiphot provides phase contrast, DIC and fluorescence optics, as well as automatic photomicrography and image digitization. A BioRad MRC-600 confocal microscope is also available for critical work in which depth resolution or 3D reconstruction is desired. The confocal microscope is equipped with a Krypton-Argon laser for improved dual wavelength imaging. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is available through a computer controlled Philips CM10 and JEOL 100-2 instruments. For scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the facility operates a JEOL JSM-5400 with digital image acquisition.
There is also a complete range of equipment for the preparation of biological materials for light and electron microscopy. Low-temperature preservation is especially well represented, with Balzers freeze-fracture and high pressure freezing units as well as liquid propane plunge freezing. A cryo-holder is available on the Philips TEM.
Computer image processing facilities available in the Microscopy Facility include a Silicon Graphics Indigo2 workstation running a variety of software packages for 3D reconstruction and Macintosh/NIH-Image.
All the computers in the facility are connected via Ethernet to each other and to the World Wide Web.
The Molecular Dynamics STORM 840 phosphorimager is a multiuser instrument with radioactive and nonradioactive detection capabilities. Researchers can use storage phosphor screen autoradiograpy, direct fluorescence or chemifluorescence for their DNA, RNA, and protein samples. ImageQuant image analysis software runs on a Macintosh platform to analyze data collected by the STORM 840. Densitometers and gel reading software are also available.
Genomics & Bioinformatics Facility
The University of Massachusetts maintains a Genomics & Bioinformatics Facility equipped with an automated sequencer (ABI 377) and associated software. Analytical software is offered through the Molecular Biology/Biotechnology Computing Center. The MBBCC provides hardware, software, database resources, and technical assistance to biological scientists in the Five Colleges for conducting research in molecular biology and bioinformatics. The facility offers automated DNA sequencing service to the academic community at UMass Amherst and the 5 Colleges. The facilty uses an ABI 377XL DNA sequencer in conjunction with the ABI Prism BigDye Terminator reaction kit to ensure reproducible results. Turnaround time is 2 to 5 days.
Facilities include hardware and software tools necessary to conduct sequence analysis, including a Silicon Graphics workstation running the Wisconsin Package by GCG. This is an integrated system of programs necessary for large-scale sequencing projects, mapping and sequence comparisons, database searching, multiple sequence analysis and alignments, RNA secondary structure prediction, and protein analysis.
Facility resources are accessible to students and faculty via the Internet system.
The High Field NMR Facility is jointly operated by the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, and Polymer Science and Engineering, under the direction of a Ph.D.-level scientist. There are three high field spectrometers available for routine analysis (DPX300, MSL300, and AC200 spectrometers manufactured by Bruker).
Three additional spectrometers are available for advanced applications. The AMX500 spectrometer is fully equipped for triple resonance and gradient experiments, while the DSX300 and ASX300 are wide bore solid-state spectrometers which are equipped for triple resonance experiments as well as high-speed magic angle spinning, static solids, and wideline experiments.
The advanced spectrometers are capable of the latest techniques for structure determination of macromolecules, including multinuclear, multidimensional NMR analysis of proteins and site-directed studies of insoluble, larger systems such as membrane proteins.
The spectrometers are Ethernet-linked to a number of Silicon Graphics computers for data analysis, computation, and manipulation of three-dimensional structures.
Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Weight Determination
The Mass Spectrometry
Facility maintains sophisticated instruments for the molecular analysis
of complex substances. These include electrospray ion trap with HPLC, MALDI-TOF,
high resolution two-sector mass spectrometer and an MS Engine GC-MS system.
Revised: 1/03
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