Cell Culture

The Cell Culture Core provides centralized services and support for a wide range of research. Our scientists use this state-of-the-art facility for their work with various mammalian cell lines, insect cells, human blood cells, human viruses, primary brain cells, and ES cells for developing gene knockout mice. A trained cell culture staff is responsible for all maintenance, stocking, and reordering of supplies and media. They also provide weekend and holiday coverage to maintain stock cultures and carry out experimental directives from the laboratories.

There are three cell culture suites, comprised of seven individual clean rooms for sterile work. Each room has two Biosafety II hoods, a minimum of four incubators, and an inverted Nikon microscope. The adjoining prep rooms have the necessary centrifuges, water baths, refrigerators, freezers, and cryotanks.

Ling Wang, Manager

Histology and Microscopy

The Histology and Microscopy Core is open to everyone in the Gallo Center with plans to investigate molecular and structural changes in the brain using microscopic methods. We provide hands-on training in histological staining and imaging, and provide daily access to centralized imaging and histology equipment (Zeiss LSM 510 Meta confocal system, laser capture microdissection system, cryostats from Leica and Microm, and many more). We also perform histological services for various ongoing projects on a recharge basis, such as preparing tissue samples from transgenic animals, or performing histological controls for behavioral studies using Nissl staining of serial brain sections. We have years of experience in using successfully advanced cytochemical and imaging techniques for detection of proteins, gene reporters, and mRNA in neuronal cells. We also encourage the use of classical morphological techniques, such as Golgi impregnation, to study aberrant changes in brain cells that can be induced by drugs of abuse.

Viktor Kharazia, PhD, Director

Optogenetics Research

The Optogenetics Research Core supports Gallo Center laboratories in setting up, designing, and executing experiments that incorporate optogenetic stimulation or inhibition of defined neuronal populations or neural circuit elements, both in vitro and in vivo. Investigators affiliated with Gallo Center labs can access common equipment and supplies for optogenetic experimentation.

Linda Wilbrecht, PhD, Director