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
Genomics
The Genomics Core provides genomics technologies for
all laboratories at the Gallo Center. Our specialty is
low-cost, high-throughput DNA sequencing for the
purpose of discovering DNA sequence variants. Through
the use of automated procedures under the control of a
Laboratory Information Management System, the process
is both reliable and inexpensive. The Genomics Core
can produce over 600,000 sequence runs, generating over
200 million PHRED > 30 bases per year. We perform
all aspects of DNA sequencing by:
- Maintaining a DNA sample bank of subjects
characterized by level of response to alcohol
- Running the automated sequencers
- Performing quality control to assure reliable
data
- Analyzing sequence data to discover DNA sequence
variants
- Genotyping all subject samples at discovered
variant sites
- Maintaining all genotype data in a secure
database
Geoff Joslyn, PhD, Director
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
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