The Florida Research and Innovation Center's Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering Core provides expert support and consulting in advanced bioinformatics analyses and state-of-the-art protein engineering.

Core to promote translation of basic science discoveries by Cleveland Clinic researchers into new therapeutics. Through collaboration with investigators we de-risk promising approaches and illuminate fundamental biology using small molecule chemical probes. We have established a pipeline of innovative research programs directed toward improving patient care with a true bench-to-bedside vision. To achieve these goals, we use state of the art technologies in small molecule library screening, fragment-based methods, X-ray crystallography, computational tools, and target validation towards generating starting points for nascent hit-to-lead and lead optimization campaigns.

Transmission (TEM), Scanning (SEM), 2D tile scanning SEM and 3DSEM electron microscopy are available in the Core for imaging and analyzing specimens at the ultrastructural level. Possible samples include fresh tissue specimens, cultured cells growing on a substrate, cells in suspension or subcellular fractions (for purity determinations). Sub-cellular localization of antigens within cells by immunogold labeling can be performed, as well as negative staining for visualizing samples such as microparticles and exosomes. Elemental analysis (EDAX) is also available together with SEM.

Core has maintained CAP (College of American Pathologists) and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act) accreditations since 2001 and has maintained the required standards for the past 20 years. Core offers automated clinical chemistry, immunology and hematology assays. Tests range from commercially available FDA approved methods to research grade ELISA’s.

Core provides with easy access to state-of-the-art DNA and RNA services. Offers services, including Illumina microarray-based gene expression profiling, genotyping, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Equipped with Illumina MiSeq and NovaSeq 6000 platforms, enabling efficient targeted and transcriptome-wide RNA analyses, as well as whole genome sequencing (WGS). Prepares and normalizes libraries for various applications, including RNA-seq, miRNA-seq, DNA-seq, whole-genome sequencing, and single-cell RNA-seq. Additional services include DNA/RNA quality control using Agilent Bioanalyzer and TapeStation systems, and DNA/chromatin shearing using Covaris S2 technology. In collaboration with Genomic Medicine Biorepository, provides DNA and RNA extraction services. Provides letters of support for federal and non-federal grant applications and are open to research collaborations.

Engineers in the Polymer Core work closely with physicians, surgeons, and researchers throughout Cleveland Clinic to provide extensive services on medical device design, prototype and evaluation. We help our inventors to “prove the concept” of their novel inventions, which will ultimately benefit our patients. We also help research groups at Lerner Research Institute to fabricate or repair research instruments, which are not commercially available, such as cell culture fixture, test instruments, etc.

Electronics Core is electronics design, development and repair facility which specializes in proof-of-concept design and prototyping, and early stage development of medical devices and laboratory research instrumentation. Services include system design, schematic capture, printed circuit board layout, board fabrication, assembly and testing.

Core provides biomechanical testing of biological structures and biomaterials. Allows investigators to conduct research of mechanical properties of existing biological structures and constructs, as well as to quantify potential for new technologies and clinical advancements. Robotic simulators are built around the simVITRO software platform and are designed for in vitro simulation of major joints including knee, spine, foot, ankle, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist and more. Provides testing capabilities for range of biomechanical modalities and will offer expert advice and support for development of new test protocols, innovative techniques for instrumentation and data collection. Modalities include tissues, joints, and multi-articular units, such as foot or spine segments.

Mechanical Core provides variety of fabrication, customization and repair services for mechanical devices and equipment. Offers precision machining of metals and plastics, welding of structural and exotic metals, instrument refurbishing and mechanical repair.

Core provides mechanical and biomedical engineering expertise and services. Specializes in early-stage development and proof-of-concept prototypes. Utilizes 3D modeling, 3D printing, nitinol shape setting, and laser cutting to design and fabricate custom medical devices, test fixtures, and CT/MRI-based anatomy models.

Core provides investigators with resource for quantitative studies of cells, extracellular vesicles, and single-cell gene transcriptome analyses. Offers sample acquisition and analysis, cell sorting, and consultation for experimental design, interpretation and troubleshooting.

Core offers services in areas of peptide synthesis, peptide modification, purification and quality analysis, N-terminal protein sequencing by Edman degradation, and biomolecular interaction analysis and equilibrium and kinetic measurements.

Core offers quality controlled media at economical prices. Media is prepared in large batches ranging from 50L-300L from commercially produced powders. All products go through strict quality control program. Custom plates and media are offered by request and are usually available within 2-4 business days. All other orders placed online can be picked up on the next business day.

Core provides monoclonal antibody production services. Provides consultation to assist investigator in all aspects of monoclonal antibody production. Services are performed under strict quality control guidelines appropriate for antibodies that may have commercial potential.

Core provides glassware washing and sterilization of all types of glassware and pipettes. Facility maintains stock glassware in common storage area. Glassware personnel collect glassware from laboratories daily and cabinets are replenished regularly. Autoclaving of materials is offered on daily basis. Core can accommodate any special requests. Glassware Core maintains stock of all types of sterile laboratory glassware and pipettes in common storage area.

Core provides specialized cell culture services , ensures high-quality and contamination-free cultures by employing aseptic techniques and maintaining Mycoplasma and Quarantine facilities. Offers cell banking, with capacity to freeze and store up to 10,000 vials. Facility provides walk-in warm room and cold room, spinner apparatus capable of handling over 20 liters of cells in suspension, and roller bottle machine that accommodates more than 200 roller bottles. Additional equipment includes automated cell counter and ELISA reader.

Core provides services, from DNA and RNA extraction from diverse sample types such as tissue, stool, and bacterial isolates to next-generation sequencing, including whole-genome sequencing, total RNA-seq, metatranscriptomics, and dual RNA-seq, along with expert bioinformatics support. Core expertise spans 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, meta-omics analysis of dual RNA-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq data. Core also assists with experimental design and power calculations to ensure statistically robust results, offering consultation at every stage, from experimental design to data interpretation and troubleshooting.

Core provides advanced mass-spectrometric instrumentation and for both proteomics and metabolomic experiments. Performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteins and post-translationally modified peptides and both targeted and untargeted LC/GC-MS based metabolomics.

The Imaging Core at CCF FRIC provides access to advanced imaging technologies, including:

Wide-field and confocal fluorescent microscopes
FLIM capability
Live-cell imaging microscopes
Pre-clinical imaging microscopes
BSL-3 imaging platforms for pre-clinical and basic research microscopy projects


The core also offers support for researchers and their projects beyond hardware. Our expert staff can provide consultation on experimental design and optimization, post-acquisition image processing, and support for analysis, visualization, and interpretation of data. The analysis workstation in the facility runs a full suite of analysis and visualization software packages for getting the most rigorous quantification and representation of your imaging data.