State of the art flow cytometry core facility housing 2 BD FACSymphony A5 spectral edition, BD LSR II, Amnis Imagestream X Mark II, Accuri C6, and Bio-Rad ZE5 for cellular analysis along with a BD FACS ARIA II and BD FACSymphony S6 spectral edition cell sorter. Expertise in large cell and small particle (EV) sorting and analysis. We also have the capacity to sort unfixed biohazardous samples in line with risk assesments. Most users come for analysis and sorting, but we also offer staining and sample preparation as negotiated.

http://health.uconn.edu/flow-cytometry

The UConn Health Center MicroCT Imaging Facility provides core services of three-dimensional imaging and quantitation of tissue structure using high-resolution X-ray computed microtomography (microCT). Resolution of structural features below 10 um allows for accurate and precise evaluation of trabecular and cortical bone architecture, density, and porosity of bones from mice, including femora, tibiae, vertebrae, humeri, ulnae, calvaria, mandibles, teeth, and ectopic bone formation. Data obtained from microCT analyses are helpful toward identifying and quantitating definitive phenotypes in transgenic and knockout mouse models, as well as the skeletal effects of hormonal deficiency (e.g., ovariectomy) and pharmaceutical agents. Hydroxyapatite-phantom calibrated measurements of true volumetric density (mg/cm^3) provide accurate measurements of mineralization shifts in these animal models, complementing rapid imaging modalities afforded by micro-DXA (Piximus) and radiography (Faxitron), which are also available.

The Biophysical Core maintains the following instruments:
(1) A Jasco J-715 spectropolarimeter for both near- and far-UV circular dichroism studies. The instrument contains a Peltier thermostated sample holder for thermal melts.

(2) MicroCal VP Capillary Differential Scanning Calorimeter. DSC measures the enthalpy (∆H) of unfolding due to heat denaturation. A biomolecule in solution is in equilibrium between the native (folded) conformation and its denatured (unfolded) state. The higher the thermal transition midpoint (Tm), when 50% of the biomolecules are unfolded, the more stable the molecule. DSC measures the change in heat capacity (ΔCp) of denaturation.

(3) Microcal Isothermal Titration Calorimeter to assist in calculating stochiometry, binding constant, enthalpy and entropy. The instrument includes an internal Peltier mechanism.

(4) Wyatt MiniDawn Triple-Angle Light Scattering Detector (MALS) for measuring the molecular weights, sizes, and conformations of macromolecules in solution.

(5) Voyager DE-pro MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer for accurate determination molecular weights at subpicomolar range. The system is used for routine non-expert operation. It incorporates Delayed Extractionâ„¢ technology for excellent sensitivity, mass accuracy, and resolution.

(6) Hitachi F-2500 Spectrofluorometer which offers high sensitivity, variable spectral bandwidth and scanning speeds of up to 12,000nm/min. Its horizontal beam optical design provides a high concentrated light beam along with low sample volume requirements. It offers Excitation/Emission Scan, Time Based Measurements, Pre-Scan, and Data Export to Excel.