Shared research facilities are available to HMS faculty whose laboratories are located on the Quadrangle

Shared research facilities are available to HMS faculty whose laboratories are located on the Quadrangle. A summary of these core services is listed below. For more information, please visit the facility's website or contact the facility director.

DF/HCC High- Throughput DNA Sequencing Core	Fredrik Vannberg fvannberg@hms.harvard.edu 617 432-4707	http://dnaseq.med.harvard.edu/
The Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center High Throughput DNA Sequencing Core has a mission to provide high quality DNA sequencing to the membership of the Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Affiliates, as well as the outside community. The core is located in the Harvard Medical School Quad and features state of the art capillary sequencers and robotics for the high-throughput handling of sequencing samples. Access and Services: -Available to all users inside/outside Harvard -Web-based sample submission and retrieval -Sample turnaround time 3 working days -$6 per run for DF/HCC members (less than 48 samples is now $8 per run) -$10 per run for non-members -High-Throughput DNA minipreps also available

Machine Shop	Jim Horn jim_horn@hms.harvard.edu 617 432-2036	http://machineshop.med.harvard.edu/
We have many years of experience designing and manufacturing custom tools for medical research. This has allowed us to compile a large collection of different solutions to a wide range of problems. Our services include consultation, design, manufacturing, modifications and repairs. We will help you choose and locate materials, assist you with design decisions, and perform the actual fabrication and final testing. If you have already made these decisions, we will be glad to manufacture according to your verbal instructions, prints, sketches or specifications. We are particularly experienced at large projects that require the integration of multiple technologies and materials.

Cell Biology Confocal Microscope Facilty	Jamin DeProto jamin@hms.harvard.edu 617 432-3108	http://www.hms.harvard.edu/core/cb_confocal.html
The confocal microscope is overseen by the Department of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School. For information on access, training, and usage, please contact Jamin DeProto.

Microchemistry Facility	Willliam S. Lane, Director wlane@harvard.edu 617 495-4043	http://golgi.harvard.edu/microchem/
The Harvard Microchemistry Facility provides expertise and technologies in protein chemistry and primary structure determination. These include capillary and microbore HPLC separations of chemical or proteolytic digestions, high sensitivity peptide sequencing and mass analysis. The technologies used are mass spectrometry by online LCMSMS or nanospray on both an ion trap mass spectrometer and triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, as well as Edman microsequencing. Researchers are strongly encouraged to discuss strategy with us before proceeding with their preparation.

Department of Genetics Biopolymers Facility.	Bob Steen, Director rsteen@genome.med.harvard.edu 617 432-7480	http://genome.med.harvard.edu/
DNA Sequencing, Genotyping, Affymetrix Gene Chips, Custom Printed Microarrays, Oligonucleotide Ordering and Reagents and Supplies Ordering. Comprehensive web based Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) which provides users with access to order services and supplies as well as retrieve data and review and pay invoices.

The Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center Optical Imaging Facility	Michelle Ocana, Optical Imaging Manager 617-432-1442	http://www.neurodiscovery.harvard.edu/resources/optical_2.html
Provides the HCNR community access to advanced, confocal, multi-photon and wide field microscopy. The facility specializes in various forms of fluorescence microscopy and offers users comprehensive training (data acquisition and image analysis) and ongoing technical and applications support. Offers assistance in the design of experimental protocols and ongoing consultation and support. The core currently supports 2 Zeiss LSM510 META systems, Coherent two-photon imaging with NLO, Becker&Hickl FLIM and Olympus Spinning disk.

The Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center Magnetic Resonance Imaging Facility	Sharon Peled, MRI Physicist 617-432-2275	http://www.neurodiscovery.harvard.edu/resources/mri_2.html
Accommodates both the experienced MR investigator and newcomers to the technique. A permanent technical and scientific staff provides training, technical and experimental support that can be tailored to the needs of the individual investigator. The program has a well established small animal 4.7T MRI facility in the Goldenson Building at Harvard Medical School, and a new 3T MRI facility for human and large animal imaging at 221 Longwood Avenue (across from the HMS quad).

DF/HCC Rodent Histopathology Core (Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center)	Lauri Wyner Lauri_wyner@hms.harvard.edu	http://www.dfhcc.harvard.edu/core_facilities
Provides mouse histopathology, and includes necropsy, phenotyping of organs and tissues, dissection and tissue processing, diagnosis and one-on-one consultation. The facility also generates unstained paraffin and frozen sections to be used for immunohistochemistry. Provides individual and group training sessions for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students on the development, phenotyping and characterization of animal models of cancers.

Pathology Microscopy Imaging Center	Kristen Lentini Kristen_lentini@hms.harvard.edu	http://www.hmcnet.harvard.edu/pathol/imaging.html
Includes a Perkin Elmer Spinning disk confocal microscope, an API DeltaVision and workstation, two Nikon inverted light fluorescence microscopes, two direct light fluorescence microscopes, and a microinjection microscope.

NRB Mass Spectometry & Proteomics Core	John Asara jasara@bidmc.harvard.edu	http://www.hmcnet.harvard.edu/pathol/proteomics.html
Provides a targeted proteomics approach in which proteins and/or protein complexes are purified prior to analysis by immunoprecipitation, protein-protein interactions, chromatographic, and electrophoretic methods. The major services offered are protein identification, identification of post-translational modification sites, and relative quantification of protein expression and post-translational modification sites through stable-isotope labeling and isotope-free methods. The core has state-of-the-art instrumentation such as a ThermoFinnigan LTQ 2D linear ion trap mass spectrometer and a high resolution AB SCIEX QSTAR Pulsar i hybrid quadrupole-TOF mass spectrometer both operated in microcapillary LC/MS/MS mode at nanoliter flow-rates. The core also has a high resolution 4700 MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer. The core uses the latest software versions of Sequest Proteomics Browser and Mascot for database searching on dual processor PCs and houses a laminar flow clean hood and a warm room for enzymatic digestions.

Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (BCMP) Biopolymers Lab	Chuck Dahl, 617-432-0616 dahl@hms.harvard.edu	http://dahlweb.med.harvard.edu/
Provides oligonucleotide synthesis, DNA sequencing, peptide synthesis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry
Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center DNA Resource Core	DNA sequencing services, Jason Kramer. jason_kramer@hms.harvard.edu 617-324-0823. Plasmid storage and distribution, Stephanie Mohr stephanie_mohr@hms.harvard.edu 617-324-4251.	http://dnaseq.med.harvard.edu/
Hosted by the Harvard Institute of Proteomics at 320 Charles St. in Cambridge, MA , and features state-of-the-art equipment for DNA sequencing, DNA preparation, and plasmid clone storage, including robotic instrumentation for high-throughput handling of DNA sequencing and plasmid samples

HMS Technology and Engineering Center	Dale Larson 617-432-6171 dlarson@hms.harvard.edu	http://tec.med.harvard.edu/
Provides Liquid handling and Sample Preparation, Laboratory Automation (material handling, data acquisition, robotics), Measurement Systems, Optics, Mechanical and Machine Design, Electronics and Software, and Plastic Part Design. As necessary, TEC staff will be supplemented with consultants and design firms to bring needed skills to the team.

Taplin Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility	Steven Gygi Steven_gygi@hms.harvard.edu	http://cellbio.med.harvard.edu/research/facilities/mass_spectrometry/index.html
This facility is dedicated to the sequence analysis of peptides and proteins by mass spectrometry. Electrospray ionization is the method of choice for precise mass measurement of biological molecules. When peptides are analyzed by ion-trap mass spectrometry, the amino acid sequence is determined by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and database searching. Currently accepting commassie-stained gel bands for sequencing exclusively by microcapillary LC-MS/MS techniques. A high-throughput facility utilizing three dedicated LCQ DECA ion-trap mass spectrometers (ThermoFinnigan) with sample turnaround times of typically less than one week. All reports are e-mailed to the investigator as HTML and contain links to the original (raw) data and the databases searched

Nikon Imaging Center	Jennifer Waters (617) 432-3542 Jennifer_waters@hms.harvard.edu	http://nic.med.harvard.edu/
Provides access to state-of-the-art microscopy and imaging equipment, training courses on basic and advanced light microscopy techniques, introduces the latest innovations in light microscopy and imaging to the HMS community, serves as a learning center for corporate partners and contributors, provides a dedicated director for ongoing technical consultation and support

Conventional Electron Microscopy	Maria Ericsson 617 432-1698 maria_ericsson@hms.harvard.edu	http://cellbio.med.harvard.edu/research/facilities/electron_microscopy/conventional.html
Provides service and supervision in preparative and microscope techniques for Transmission Electron and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Molecular Electron Microscopy	Thomas Walz 617 432-4090 twalz@hms.harvard.edu	http://cellbio.med.harvard.edu/research/facilities/electron_microscopy/molecular.html
Unlike traditional electron microscopy, which uses thin sections to visualize the structure of cells or tissues, molecular electron microscopy is used to determine the three-dimensional structure of individual proteins or protein complexes. To achieve the much higher resolution required for the visualization of a protein structure, molecular electron microscopy takes advantage of low-dose imaging techniques to reduce beam damage of the specimen and computational averaging techniques to improve the signal-to-noise ratio

The Harvard Institute of Proteomics (HIP)	Josh LaBaer josh@hms.harvard.edu 617-324-0827	http://www.hip.harvard.edu/
HIP is a research project created within the department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology to promote the discovery and use of novel technologies in the developing discipline of functional proteomics.

New England Regional Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (NERCE)	Jerry Beltz, gerald_beltz@hms.harvard.edu, 617-432-5520	Core Facilities: http://nerce.med.harvard.edu/menu_cores.html Resources: http://nerce.med.harvard.edu/menu_resources.html
NERCE consists of a series of collaborative projects of various scales supported by core laboratories providing critical services important to biodefense and emerging infectious disease research. These services include Biosafety Level 3 animal model support, genomic-scale proteomics, high-throughput screening for chemical inhibitors, large-scale biological molecule production, and clinical investigation of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Cores are available to any New England investigator who studies NIH Category A-C pathogens (http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/Biodefense/bandc_priority.htm)

Institute for Chemistry and Cell Biology (ICCB-Longwood)	Caroline Shamu, caroline_shamu@hms.harvard.edu, 617 432-3127	http://iccb.med.harvard.edu/
The ICCB-Longwood Investigator Initiated Screening Program assists academic researchers in carrying out high-throughput screens of chemical libraries to identify new tools for biological research. The ICCB-Longwood screening facility is built around modular workstations, and assays are generally carried out in 384-well plates. The ICCB-Longwood compound collection is continuously growing, and over 150,000 compounds are currently available for screening. The facility employs a staff-assisted screening model, in which investigators using the facility are provided with access to compound libraries and training in the use of some instruments, such as liquid handling equipment, plate readers, and screening microscopes. Staff members run all complex automation for screens.

NMR Spectrometry	Greg Heffron, Gregory_heffron@hms.harvard.edu, 617 432-1812	http://gwagner.med.harvard.edu/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=25
Several NMR spectrometers available for occasional use.

The Computational Biology Initiative (CBI)	Dennis Wall, 617 432-3894, cbi@hms.harvard.edu	http://cbi.med.harvard.edu
The Computational Biology Initiative (CBI) of the Department of Systems Biology is a new research and training program at Harvard Medical School (HMS) motivated by the challenges we currently face in interrogating data. It is focused on two objectives, the first is to push the limits of computation in all areas of basic biology represented at HMS and the second is to disseminate computational approaches in biology to the research community by training programs, web-based tutorials, and direct consultations. The CBI will contribute to HMS research by providing a unique platform of tools for data interrogation and the education necessary to help HMS biologists to maximize the use of this novel system.

Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center Advanced Tissue Resource Center	Charles Vanderburg, PhD, Director 617-726-6389	http://www.neurodiscovery.harvard.edu/resources/atrc.html
Provides state-of-the-art molecular pathology resources to the HCNR community. Current resources include laser capture microscopy, DNA/RNA expression analysis, tissue microarrays and real-time PCR.

Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center Cell-based Assay Facility	Andrew Lowe, HCNR Programs Manager, 617-432-2679	http://www.neurodiscovery.harvard.edu/resources/cell_assays.html
In collaboration with GE Healthcare Bio-sciences, the HCNR has established a program centered on the IN Cell Analyzer 1000—a flexible and easy to use sub-cellular analysis system suitable for medium-throughput screening, assay development and basic research.

Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center Biostatistics Support	Rebecca Betensky, HCNR Biostatistician, 617-432-2821	http://www.neurodiscovery.harvard.edu/resources/biostat.html
Biostatistical expertise for those who need help with clinical and laboratory study design, statistics for new protocols and analysis of existing data. Predominantly for neurodegenerative disease clinical trials, but available for basic research as well.

Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center Genetics Outreach Program	Diane Lucente, Genetic Counselor, 617-643-3199	http://www.neurodiscovery.harvard.edu/
This program facilitates genetic research by providing genetics services, counseling, support and information to patients, health care providers and research investigators. Genetic Counselor can help identify patients and collect and bank relevant samples.

Maria Ericsson

NMR Spectrometry