Recombinant Technologies Core Unit (Core B)

Co-Directors: Michael Brenner, PhD and Anne Theibert, PhD

Technical Staff:  Yuying Wu, PhD

Department/Center Association:  Mental Retardation Research Center (MRRC)

Established:  2000

 

Mission

The Recombinant Technologies Core supports faculty in the application of molecular biology techniques to their research. 

Facility Description

            Located in Shelby 920 and 962, the Core provides state-of-the-art equipment, technical expertise, comprehensive training, and material resources in such areas as PCR, cell transfection, sequence database searching and analysis, and recombinant DNA techniques.  Materials supplied include cell lines, transformation competent cells, and cortical and hippocampal neuronal cultures. 

Support Services

The Core will perform experimental protocols for research requiring limited use of its facilities and will provide training for programs with long-term needs.  Services and training provided include PCR amplification and primer design; DNA plasmid purification and subcloning; construction of recombinant DNA, including gene targeting vectors; and the introduction and expression of recombinant DNA molecules in a variety of cells lines, including bacterial cells, eukaryotic cell lines, primary neuronal cells, and tissue.  Training is also provided in the use of the various Core facilities and equipment, including bioinformatics searches, DNA and protein gel documentation, electroporation, gene gun biolistics, and isolation and culturing of primary neuronal tissue.  Materials provided by the Core include competent bacterial cells for chemical transformation and electroporation of DNA plasmids and weekly preparations of primary cortical and hippocampal neurons.  Its website (http://www.mrrc.uab.edu/coreb.htm) contains links to protocols used successfully at UAB.

Equipment

            The Core contains the following equipment: a complete tissue culture facility, a BioRad iCylcer Thermocycler, a BioRad Gene Pulser Cell Electroporator, a Beckman High Speed centrifuge, a Beckman Ultracentrifuge, a Beckman Scintillation Counter, a Beckman DU800 Spectrophotometer, a BioRad Gene Gun, a Nikon Fluorescent Dissecting Scope with a digital camera, an Amaxa Nucleofector, a Fyrite Gas Analyzer, a DNA and protein sequence analysis workstation with access to the GCG database, an AlphaInnotech Digital Gel Documentation System, a Bio-Rad Gel Documentation System, a Savant Speed Vac, a Bio-Rad Gel Dryer, a  microwave for agarose gels, a Branson Sonifier (sonicator), two -80oC freezers, a 16oC incubator, two liquid Nitrogen tanks, a dry ice cooler, and basic molecular biology equipment and reagents.

Users

Core services are available without charge to all MRRC investigators and their staff.  Other investigators at UAB are encouraged to take advantage of the Core facilities as well.  In most cases these services will also be provided without charge, although in certain instances there may be a modest fee.

 

Contact Information: 

Co-Director Core B:  Michael Brenner, PhD

Email:  michaelb@uab.edu

Phone:  205-934-1011

Co-Director Core B:  Anne Theibert, PhD

Email:  theibert@nrc.uab.edu   

Phone:  205-934-2868

Technical Staff:  Yuying Wu, PhD.

Email:  YWu@nrc.uab.edu  

Phone:  205-996-4095

Web Site:  http://www.mrrc.uab.edu/coreb.htm

 

 

Approved by:  Michael Brenner, PhD, Core B Co-Director

Date:  April 15, 2008

 

 

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