In addition to the equipment in individual laboratories, UC Merced investigators in QSB can access these shared pieces of equipment. Many core facilities are planned in the near future.

Computational Biology Facilities

• 32-processor Opteron Linux Cluster with Gigibit Ethernet interconnect switch
• Chemical simulation packages including Gaussian, AMBER, and CHARMM

Genomics

• 16 capillary ABI 3130XL sequencer
• Agilent bioanalyzer
• Nanodrop
• Real-time thermal cyclers
• High speed centrifuges
• Digital imaging systems for visualization of DNA and protein gels
• Microarray Core Facility (planned)

Microscopy/Histology

• Fluorescence Microscopes with digital cameras
• Electron Microscopy Core Facility (for scanning and transmission electron microscopy)
• Confocal Microscope (planned)
• Microtome, Cryostat, Paraffin Embedding Station (planned)

Hormone and other biochemical analyses

• Gamma counter for 125I RIA and other gamma-radionuclide emission protocols
• Multi-functional plate analyzer capable of absorbance, fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, and luminescence
• Hitachi autoanalyzer capable of over 100 biochemical analyses from serum/plasma, urine and media including electrolytes, glucose, lipids, total protein, host of enzymes, creatinine, and urea

Flow Cytometry

• Becton Dickinson FACSAria High Speed Cell Sorter with ACDU option to allow for sorting into plates or slides
• Guava Technologies EasyCyte Flow Cytometry Analyzer

Proteomics

• Mass spectrometer
• MNR

Biotelemetry

• For conscious, continuous and unrestrained cardiovascular monitoring of small animals

Small Animal Facility (in progress)

• To house rodents using both conventional and isolation cage units
• Cesium Irradiator
• Temporary facilities at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories (LLNL)