Analytical research facility specializing in X-ray materials characterization techniques, sample preparation and data analysis.

Associated with Virginia Tech's Fralin Life Sciences Institute, this light microscopy research resource facility offers confocal, extended and super resolution, and lightsheet imaging options, as well as assistance and training for researchers. The FAIM also has educational resources available for light microscopy basics, and image processing and analysis.

The Genomics Sequencing Facility (GSF) at Virginia Tech Fralin Life Sciences Institute is a dedicated multi-user resource for the development and application of state-of-the-art, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies. GSF is a “one-stop shop” providing rapid, cost-effective, experimental design consultation, and genomic and functional-genomics services using Illumina’s NovaSeq, NextSeq and MiSeq systems. Quality control and quality assurance metrics are incorporated into each standard operating procedure to monitor performance of each service provided. Liquid handling robots and a custom Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) increase throughput, efficiency and quality of the data generated and allow sample tracking in real time. We have the expertise and capacity to extend our support to research projects performed at any scale, in a very efficient and organized manner. In fact, GSF has supported over 700 individual PIs worldwide. We also provide our expertise and capabilities for grant applications to various funding agencies.

SERVICES OFFERED:

Next-Gen Sequencing Platforms:
NovaSeq X Plus
NextSeq
MiSeq i100

DNA Library Preps:
DNA-Seq
Nextera
Methy-Seq
Exome Capture
16S/18S/ITS Amplicon Sequencing
Metagenomic Sequencing

RNA Library Preps:
mRNA-Stranded-Seq
Small RNA-Seq
Total Stranded RNA-Seq
Ultra Low Input mRNA-Seq (10-100 cells)

Multiplexing large number of samples

qPCR services using SYBR Green and TagMan assays

Nucleic Acid QC:
Agilent BioAnalyzer and TapeStation
qPCR services of NGS libraries
Qubit

Sanger Sequencing Services

Targeted and untargeted metabolomics and proteomics resources

Virginia Tech’s Fralin Life Sciences Institute Flow Cytometry Facility offers traditional data acquisition, analysis, and cell sorting as well as imaging cytometry.

Equipment:

BD FACSAria Fusion: A cell sorter that can also be used as an analyzer, it is equipped with 488nm, 640nm, and 405nm excitation sources and is equipped to analyze up to fifteen parameters simultaneously.

The Fusion is capable of processing up to 70,000 events per second and sorting up to four different cell populations at once. It is also equipped with an Automatic Cell Deposition Unit (ACDU) that allows sorting of cells into plates or onto slides.

Amnis ImageStream MarkII: This imaging cytometer combines the speed and objectivity of flow cytometry with the detailed imagery of microscopy to allow you to objectively and quantitatively describe biological processes based on cell size, shape, and fluorescence location, texture, and signal intensity.

This open platform enables new methods of research and improves traditional flow and imaging based applications. It is equipped with 405nm, 488nm, and 642nm excitation sources and is able to analyze up to twelve parameters simultaneously. It has 20X, 40X, and 60X objective lenses and Enhanced Depth of Field technology. It can process several thousand cells per second.

The Chromatography Center, located within the Department of Chemistry in Hahn Hall South (Room 1001), is a vital component of Virginia Tech‘s analytical research infrastructure. This facility is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art separation science capabilities for the university‘s diverse research community and external partners.
The primary mission of the Chromatography Center is to enable complete qualitative and quantitative analysis of components within complex sample matrices. Chromatography is the most popular and proven technology for separating mixtures, and this facility supports critical research across numerous fields, including:
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Biology and Medicine
Environmental Science and Toxicology
Food, Nutrition, and Pharmaceutical Development

The Center possesses the capability for the extraction, separation, detection, and quantification of organic and other complex mixtures from gas, solid, or liquid matrices.

The Chromatography Center operates as one of the four principal research instrumentation facilities within the Department of Chemistry‘s Analytical Services group.

Core specializes in single-crystal structure determination of small molecules, inorganic materials, and minerals. The facility houses a Rigaku-Oxford Diffraction Synergy Single-Crystal X-ray Diffractometer equipped with both Cu and Mo sources, variable temperature capabilities (90 – 500 K) and the setup to perform high-pressure diamond-anvil studies.

VBI's Data Analysis Core (DAC) is a dedicated multi-user resource that provides state-of-the-art data analysis support for biologically related research. The DAC was created to remove data analysis as an obstacle to performing the highly complex and data-intensive experiments required to solve modern problems in life science research. We have experienced staff available to provide guidance and support in designing and executing on properly powered and controlled experiments.

Services

At the DAC, a wide range of services are available to solve the data analysis bottleneck. We offer services ranging from training and self-serve workstations preloaded with necessary software to full service project support. Next generation sequencing projects include the analysis, assembly, and annotation of genomic sequence information including protein function prediction, variant/allele discovery, and expression analysis (CHIP-seq, RNA-seq, DNA-reseq, SNP-seq, and others). For gene expression (Affymetrix or custom), we offer statistical expression analysis, normalization, quality analysis, filtering customized to the experimental design, hierarchical clustering, and, when appropriate, function analysis. Custom array design for both oligonucleotide and proteomics arrays as well as target design for deep sequencing experiments are also available. For proteomics, we offer statistical expression analysis, pathway and GO analysis. All services result in manuscript-ready figures and text.