The Nanoscale Research Facility (NRF) supports and enhance research and education by providing access to characterization and process instrumentation. Expert staff provides the assistance and guidance necessary so that students, faculty, and industry get the most effective and appropriate use of facility resources. NRF facilities encompass 100+ instruments, tools and techniques as well as a 7,000 sq. ft. Class 100-1000 Cleanroom facility. Facilities also include instrumentation that allows characterization of radioactive samples.

The Cytometry core employs multiple flow cytometers and sorters, from simple entry-level devices to high-end 5-laser, 142-detector ID7000 spectral analyzer and BD S6 sorter. The lab also offers a variety of microscopes, including Leica Stellaris 8 upgraded with a STED super-resolution module.

Core for In Vivo and In Vitro metabolic phenotyping. Provides validated in vitro and in vivo tests. Phenotyping applications span from mitochondrial and cellular metabolism to whole body animal physiology. Provides instrument training, experimental design, data analysis. Studies can be performed by staff, but IACUC-approved Animal Use Protocols are also available to help investigators use resources on their own.

Electron microscopy and analysis (SEM, TEM, FIB, EBSD, WDS), microelectronic device fabrication (7000 sq ft cleanroom, Class 100-1000), X-ray computed tomography (CT), particle system characterization (size, zeta potential, surface area, porosity, rheology), X-ray diffraction, surface analysis (AFM, profilometry, XPS, Auger), spectroscopy (UV/Vis with integrating sphere, FTIR/NIR with micro capability and micro-Raman).

ICBR Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Facility has provided unprecedented tools for fast, accurate, high throughput biomolecular separation and characterization, which are indispensable towards understanding the biological and medical systems. Studying at the protein level allows researchers to investigate how proteins, their dynamics, modifications, and interactions affect cellular processes and how cellular processes and environment affect proteins. The mission of our facility is to provide excellent service and training in proteomics and mass spectrometry. Here we present our capabilities in proteomics, highlighting differential proteomics, which include two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ), tandem mass tags (TMT), iodoTMT, Stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC), quantification of proteins by label-free LC-MS/MS, and the analysis of protein post-translational modifications (PTM).

We have a suite of state-of-the-art mass spectrometers and software available for detailed characterization of proteins and peptides, including post-translational modification analysis and accurate molecular weight determination. To ensure success and maximize productivity, the Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry core offers education, consultation, data processing and reporting, and support of grant application.

The Systems Physiology and Omics Core within the UF OAIC will provide the specialized resources and expertise to support scientists that want to incorporate systemic measures of mouse activity, metabolism and feeding. The systems are also embedded within light regulated environments to capture circadian, time of day, based outcomes. The core will support scientists wanting to perform circadian type analyses with either pre-clinical or clinical time series data. Lastly, the core will support scientists wanting to incorporate -Omics measures into their studies with experience in genomics, proteomics and metabolomics assays/analyses. These services are available to support new investigators, early-stage investigators and current investigators in aging.

The Monoclonal Antibody core develops new mouse monoclonal antibodies for investigators to use in basic and applied research. Major service categories include: immunization of mice, cell fusion, cell cloning, screening by ELISA and Western blot, monoclonal antibody production, purification and labeling, monoclonal antibody analyses such as antibody/antigen affinity measurements, epitope binning and identification of matched antibody pairs. Customer training on select self-service instruments is also offered.

Histology Core

The Bioinformatics and Statistics Core provides data management and analysis services for the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology community as well as for external collaborators. We offer scientific support to assist in the experimental design, analysis, integration and dissemination of biomedical data and knowledge. Projects will often vary in time and cost depending on the scientific goals of the work, and the desired level of detail. Our goal is to use existing software and tools developed by the group, along with open source software, to support your science in a cost-effective manner. We support data analysis for samples processed at Genomics, Proteomics, and Neurobehavior cores.

ICBR Electron Microscopy supports researchers in visualizing microscopic structures through imaging projects and user training. We strive to aid scientists in solving problems and to help push their research forward by providing the tools needed for successful publication and grant applications. Major service categories include: room temperature and cryo transmission and scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, sample preparation and user training.

Welcome to the UF ICBR NextGen DNA Sequencing core facility. The ICBR-NGS core provides researchers with quality, massively parallel, high-throughput sequencing data using the most current instrumentation, at a reasonable cost. We currently support the most popular platforms: Illumina NextSeq500 and MiSeq, HiSeq3000 and the Pacific Biosciences SEQUEL system. Together, these instruments cover a broad range of powerful applications. Our free consultation services aim to help researchers navigate through the complex matrix of experimental options represented by the available sequencing technologies. Some of these important considerations include: read length, error rate, predominant type of error, data output/run, speed, cost, etc. The ever-broadening range of applications include (but are not limited to) de novo sequencing of whole genomes, targeted sequencing, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing, methylation analysis and metagenomics.

Our sample prep and library construction services are offered through both the NGS and the GeneExpression/Genotyping Cores. Please contact us if the service of your interest is not listed. We strive to support most common applications.

The Gene Expression & Genotyping core provides state-of-the-art technical services and consultation on Single Cell RNA-Seq, RNA-Seq, 16s metagenomics and Affymetrix gene expression arrays. High-throughput RNA-seq libraries, 16s libraries and sequencing capture libraries can be done by using the Agilent Bravo robot. QuantiGene RNA Assays measure up to 80 gene targets directly with degraded and cross-linked RNA in FFPE tissues and blood, with no RNA purification required. The BioRad QX200 AutoDG Droplet Digital PCR System provides absolute quantification of target DNA or RNA molecules with greater precision and sensitivity than qPCR, the sensitivity off ddPCR System can facilitate expanded analysis of single cells. The Genotyping services include fragment analysis using AB3730 (96 capillary technology), development of microsatellite libraries using Illumina sequence data, and genotyping using mouse tails or ear punches. These up-to-date gene expression and genotyping analysis methods allow scientists to be on the cutting edge of research.

The Bioinformatics core offers bioinformatics consulting and data analysis services to help researchers analyze and understand the large data sets acquired from next generation sequencing and array-based technologies. We coordinate closely with other ICBR cores (Next-Gen Sequencing, Gene Expression, Cytometry, and Proteomics) on shared projects.

We collaborate with researchers in designing experiments and analyzing complex datasets by applying various data-analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modeling and computational techniques. We develop and operate comprehensive pipelines enabling large-scale data processing, including NGS data analysis (e.g., RNA-Seq, DNA-Seq, methyl-Seq and ChIP-Seq,) single-cell analysis, transcriptome and genome annotation (project-based EST/genomic sequence assembly, annotation and gene prediction,) microarray-based data analysis (statistical and functional data analysis from major microarray platforms,) variant detection and metagenomics (characterization of microbial communities.)

Bioinformatics staff members have extensive experience in bioinformatics, genomics, transcriptomics and translational informatics in plant, animal and microbial systems. Our expertise includes big data analysis, statistical analysis, software development and high-performance computing. We strive to be scientific collaborators – rather than just service providers – using our expertise and skills to ensure the success of your projects.

Our services are offered at a standard hourly rate, and can be accessed on a fee-for-service basis or as long-term collaborations.

ICBRs mission is to enable, strengthen and energize all aspects of molecular life science research at the University of Florida by teaching theory, techniques and applications of modern molecular research. We champion the growth and development of research throughout the Florida university system and jump start research for technology transfer and accelerate molecular biology research success from the lab to the marketplace.