Bioinformatics Core Facility (Director: Borries Demeler)
- The bioinformatics core facility provides computational support
for biologically related research disciplines. By integrating
high-performance computing into current research, we hope to integrate
leading-edge computational technology into a broad spectrum of research
applications. The facility is equipped with a 44-processor beowulf
supercomputer for parallel computation, mass storage for database and
data mining application, graphics workstations for visualization and
popular bioinformatics and genomics software packages. Trained staff is
available to address security, programming, web development, and other
computational tasks.
The Center for Analytical Ultracentrifugation of Macromolecular
Assemblies
(Director: Borries Demeler)
- includes one Beckman XL-A and two Beckman XL-I analytical
ultracentrifuges. Development of advanced software for the analysis
of analytical ltracentrifugation experiments also occurs with the
facility. The Center is used by numerous departmental personnel to
study the conformation, composition, and stability of biological
macromolecules. By being among the first to embrace the return of
analytical ultracentrifugation, the Department of Biochemistry offers
a unique training environment for this important reemerging technology.
Center for Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy (Director: Andrew Hinck)
- offers high field NMR instrumentation operating on a collaborative use
basis. The equipment presently includes 500, 600 and 700 MHz multichannel
NMR spectrometers and is dedicated to biological-oriented research that
requires high field NMR instrumentation and relatively long (48-72 hr)
continuous blocks of instrument time.
The Center for Light Scattering (Director: Borries Demeler)
- offers multi-angle dynamic and static light scattering with a Brookhaven
BI-HV light scattering instrument equipped with a Coherent Laser and a
256-channel autocorrelator. The instrumentation can be used to assess
molecular weight, polydispersity, diffusion coefficients and frictional
properties.
The Center for Fluorescence Microscopy and Cellular Imaging
- provides equipment and expertise in modern fluorescence technologies
for the investigation of biophysical, biochemical, and cell biological
problems.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Core Laboratory
(Director: Eileen Lafer)
- provides access to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology using the
BIAcore 3000 instrument. SPR technology is used to study macromolecular
interactions in a wide range of biological processes.
The Large Particle Gel Electrophoresis Laboratory (Director: Phil Serwer)
- is a laboratory that provides access to innovative gel electrophoresis
technologies currently being developed in the Department of Biochemistry
by Dr. Philip Serwer.
Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (Director: Sue Weintraub)
- offers analysis by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization
Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) and HPLC-electrospray ionization (ESI) mass
spectrometry for characterization of proteins and peptides as well as
other molecules of biological relevance.
The UTHSCSA Center for Macromolecular Interactions (Director: Eileen Lafer)
- The UTHSCSA Center for Macromolecular Interactions is housed in
the Biochemistry Department under the directorship of Eileen M. Lafer.
It consists of three component laboratories: the Center for
Surface Plasmon Resonance, the Center for Analytical
Ultracentrifugation of Macromolecular Assemblies (CAUMA), and the
Center for Light Scattering.
The X-ray Crystallography Laboratory (Director: John Hart)
- has macromolecular X-ray crystallographic instrumentation operating on
a collaborative use basis. The equipment presently includes two complete
X-ray crystallography systems.