 Duke
has been a pioneer in making specialized equipment and techniques
widely available to its researchers and students. Ready access to
all the facilities and equipment pertinent to modern biological research
are available. Shared resources are part of our commitment to interdisciplinary
research, and they will continue to be an important part of our future.
The resources are tremendously useful to investigators who do not
have the time or experience to establish specialized techniques that
may be required during the course of a research project. Each resource
is directed by a senior investigator and usually staffed by specialists
from their laboratory. They make their wealth of experience, techniques,
and equipment available to members of the Duke scientific community.
The following, many of them supported by the Comprehensive Cancer
Center, represent some of the key shared resources:
Cell Culture
- consultation in cell and tissue culture techniques
- preparation of cell and tissue culture media
- maintenance and liquid nitrogen storage of cell lines for investigators
who need to culture mammalian and insect cells
Computer Database
- central access via DukeNet to database server
- frequently updated databases and analysis packages
- modern biocomputing for everyday users
DNA
Microarray Center
- Affymetrix GeneChip arrays -- human and mouse
- Custom-produced spotted DNA microarrays -- for NIDDK-supported
investigators and neurological-focused studies
DNA Sequencing Facility
- automated DNA sequencing
- DNA fragment size analysis
Fermentation
- large-scale production of recombinant proteins from bacteria
and yeast
Flow Cytometry
- assistance with use of cytometers and dual laser cell sorter
- consultation, technical advice and collaboration with flow
cytometric analysis and cell sorting applications
Macromolecular Graphics
- research assistance with the use of 3-D information in protein
design and macromolecular modeling
- helping researchers exploit the resource by providing expert
advice in interpreting the relevant structures
- assistance in using computer systems that include Evans and
Southerland and Silicon Graphics work stations
Macromolecular
X-ray Crystallography
- State of the art instrumentation for high resolution, three-dimensional
structure determination by X-ray crystallography.
- Research assistance in diffraction data collection and analysis.
- Founding member of SER-CAT
at Advanced Photon Light Source, Argonne National Laboratory providing
synchrotron radiation to the structural biology community.
Mass Spectrometry
- mass analysis, especially for protein and nucleic acids
Microscopy
- guiding investigators in the application of modern microscopic
techniques
- thin-section electron microscopy
- immuno-electron microscopy
- confocal microscopy
Molecular Biology Databases
- convenient access to contemporary databases
- sophisticated computer workstations
- expert instruction
Monoclonal Antibodies
- expertise in the technology of somatic cell hybridization
- access to animal resources for production of monoclonal antibodies
- Plasmon Surface Resonance analysis
Neuroproteomics Laboratory
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
- acquisition of high-resolution structures of biomolecules
Oligodeoxynucleotide Synthesis
Phosphoimaging
- quantitative analysis of labelled RNA, DNA, or protein
- rapid analysis of autoradiograph images
- image analysis of Southern, Northern, or Western blots
Protein Microsequencing
- Edman degradation of peptides and proteins
- amino acid analysis of proteins and peptides
- interpretation of data for investigators who have no specialized
experience in the area
Transgenic and Knock-Out Mice
- providing transgenic animals for investigators
- production of specific transgenics
- identification and characterization of transgenics
- generation of knock-out mice
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