Core Laboratory

The primary function of the Core Laboratory is to provide molecular biology support for GCRC clinical research protocols. An additional function is the training of clinical research fellows and medical students in the laboratory methods of patient oriented research.

The goal of the Core Laboratory is to address the molecular biological needs of clinical researchers in the GCRC. In the last two decades, the discovery of restriction endonucleases, DNA ligases, reverse transcriptases and thermal stable polymerases, combined with the development of methods such as Southern and Northern analysis, DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a wide variety of cloning and expression vectors, has provided vital tools for DNA recombinant technology. These reagents and methods allow investigators to perform many exciting experiments. These methods and experiments often appear challenging to the new investigator. Therefore the Core Laboratory serves to education and provide technical support to the investigators utilizing the GCRC.

The Core Laboratory's Director is Frank Martiniuk, PhD. Kam-Meng Tchou-Wong, PhD is the Core Lab Associate Director and Michael Weiden, MD is the Assistant Program Director in Genomics. Dr. Martiniuk supervises the molecular biology assays and training programs with assistance from Dr. Tchou-Wong. The Functional Genomics Core is supervised by Drs. Weiden and Tchou-Wong.

The Core Laboratory consists of two main rooms (1200 square feet) on New Bellevue 8 East. The Laboratory has a tissue culture facility that allows GCRC investigators to process human samples and culture cell lines for molecular biology techniques. A transgenic plant facility has also been established. Currently, a Program for Functional Genomics is being established. Some of the primary duties include synthesis of oligonucleotide primers for use in DNA sequencing, primer directed mutagenesis, PCR, cDNA or genomic DNA library construction and DNA mobility shift assays. DNA thermal cyclers for PCR and Taq polymerase sequencing are available for use. An ELISA reader is utilized for evaluation of cytokines. The lab is also equipped for standard DNA sequencing by dideoxy chain termination using either Sequenase, reverse transcriptase, Klenow and newer sequencing methods with Taq polymerase and thermal cycling. Automatic sequencing is available to GCRC investigators in the Skirball Institute.

The Core Lab teaches molecular biology techniques and principles to investigators, fellows, medical students and technical staff. Some of the techniques that are being taught include Southern, Northern, and Western analysis, labeling techniques, RNA and DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, ELISA, dideoxy DNA sequencing, recombinant cDNA or genomic DNA library construction and transfection of DNA into mammalian cells.

This facility contains all essential equipment required for molecular techniques and tissue culture including microfuges, speed-vac, ultra/high/low speed centrifuges, two BL-2 tissue culture hoods, PCR hood, shaker, circulating water baths, water baths, hybridization oven, thermal cyclers, computers, ELISA reader, biosafety cabinet, refrigerator, cold box, cytospin, 2 microscopes and three -70°C freezers. The refrigerator and freezer can only be used to store samples temporarily. Samples can be separated and aliquoted, provided written instructions are noted in the standardized orders. Investigators need to indicate whether they need to have access to this facility, who will process specimens (our staff or their associates), frequency of use, time(s) of day, number of samples, etc.