Shared Research Facilities and Equipment

We provide small animal imaging instrumentation, training and analysis support. Whole animal imaging systems are capable of combined fluorescence, bioluminescence, and x-ray imaging. We also offer intravital microscopy including surgical training and support.

SERVICES PROVIDED: • Comprehensive PRECLINICAL PK/PD support (drug properties, formulation, drug administration, blood/tissue collection, LC/MS/MS or HPLC analysis, PK/PD calculations, dosing regimen design) • Phase I/II CLINICAL PK support (study design, sampling protocol, plasma analysis, PK calculations) • CUSTOM small molecule analysis of drugs, drug metabolites, biomarkers, physiological metabolites in cell culture, biofluids (e.g. blood, plasma, serum, milk, synovial fluid, etc.), and tissues (tumor, vital organs, skin, fat, bone marrow, bone, etc.) MAJOR TECHNOLOGY: • Applied Biosystems/Sciex API 5500 QTrap and API 4000 QTrap, MS/MS spectrometers with Shimadzu 20A and Agilent 1100/1200 HPLC stacks HPLC-fluorescence, HPLC-UV/vis • Shimadzu 20A series HPLC-UV/vis and Waters 2695 series HPLC fluorescence and UV/vis. • Brookhaven 90Plus PALS dynamic light scattering (DLS) for nanoparticle size and zeta-potential

The Duke Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility provides capabilities for mass spectrometry based proteomics and metabolomics for identification and quantitation, including biomarker discovery and biomarker verification experiments. The DPMSR is in a ~8,100 sq. ft. laboratory in the Chesterfield Building in Downtown Durham, one custom built for mass spectrometry based proteomics and metabolomics. For qualitative identifications and biomarker discovery experiments (‘omic-scale qualitative and quantitative analyses), the laboratory is equipped with eight high resolution accurate mass LC-MS/MS systems, each using a dedicated ultra-high performance liquid chromatography systems (Waters MClass or IClass Acquity systems). Five of these systems are hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap tandem mass spectrometers – a Fusion Lumos Tribrid with ETD, a Fusion Lumos Tribrid with ETD and UVPD, a Q-Exactive Plus, a Q-Exactive-HF-X and a LTQ-Orbitrap (Thermo). The other three systems are hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometers (one Synapt G1, and two Synapt G2 High Definition Mass Spectrometers, Waters). For biomarker verification experiments metabolomic analyses and pharmacokinetic analyses, targeted mass spec quantitative experiments are performed on an MClass or ICLass UPLC system coupled to a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (one Sciex 6500+ QTrap, one Sciex 6500+ Triple, one Waters Xevo TQ-XS and two Waters Xevo TQ-S). For these experiments, data acquisition is accomplished using LC-MS/MS with Multiple Reaction Monitoring. There is an I-Class Acquity coupled to a Waters’ Fraction Manager (two 96 well plates) for offline fractionation (high pH RP or SCX). Additionally, our lab is equipped with a Neo Vanquish (Thermo) UPLC and an Evosep One LC for high-throughput proteomics. The laboratory also has the tools needed for enrichments (chemical and/or antibody-based) of sub-proteomes based on Post-Translational Modifications, including glycosylation, phosphorylation (pST, pY, pSTY global or kinase motif-specific enrichments), acetylation, ubiquitination, methylation, acylation, and S-nitrosylation, followed by characterization using UPLC-MS/MS or UPLC/UPLC-MS/MS. For metabolomic studies, the DPMCF has targeted assays for >750 metabolites, including amino acids, biogenic amines, lipids, bile acids, oxylipins, hydroxycholesterols, fatty acids (long chain and short chain), purines/pyrimidines, and energy cycle metabolites. Metabolomic analyses using the Biocrates platforms are available (Q500, p180, bile acids).

The Duke Small Animal Irradiator Service Center facilities include a variety of different irradiator units which offers investigators several options for the irradiation of both cells and small animals. The available facilities are comprised of multiple orthovoltage cabinet irradiators, including the X-RAD 160, X-RAD 320, and the Xstrahl CIX3, which are suitable for both cell and small animal irradiation studies. We also have a high energy irradiator suitable for cell or whole animal irradiation. Finally, we have a micro-CT guided microirradiator, suitable for targeted, image-guided radiation therapy or for stand-alone micro-CT imaging (Xstrahl SARRP). Safety, quality assurance, and dosimetry are provided in collaboration with the Duke Radiation Safety Division.

The Duke Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Center is a shared instrument facility. It provides access to high field NMR instrumentation, training and expert consultation on advanced applications for research at Duke and in the Southeastern region. 400, 2x500, 600, 2x700, and 800 MHz NMR spectrometers are available to users.

The Duke Viral Vector Core (DVVC) provides services to investigators in custom design and construction, purification, and titering of various viral vector types for research use. Custom cloning includes assembly of viral vectors from simple one-step integration of genes into ready-to-go cassettes to multi-step cloning of complex constructs. DVVC has plasmids available that can produce short hairpin (sh) RNA for knocking down gene expression or bicistronic messages from IRES or P2A sequences. Viruses can be made so that protein expression (or knockdown) is constitutive or inducible. Constructs generated by the Core or provided by investigators serve as starting materials for generation of concentrated virus stocks. In addition, the Core has a number of ready-to-dispense aliquots of frequently used viral vectors (combining different reporters and effectors with a variety of promoters). The DVVC facilitates the use of these powerful research tools by investigators across diverse fields of study such as systems neuroscience, stem cell biology, metabolism, ageing, cancer biology and others. Services are open to researchers within the Duke University Medical Center, Duke University, as well as outside investigators.

Our goal is to provide comprehensive and state of the art imaging for a wide-range of biological and other disciplines on and off the East Carolina University Campus for both research and teaching. Currently we can provide imaging in Conventional and Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy. We also have a range of basic bright-field, phase, differential interference contrast and fluorescence compound microscopes and basic stereo light microscopy.

The facility houses both Inova 400 and 500 MHz spectrometers, as well as a 400MR spectrometer. The laboratory has experience and capabilities with both small molecule and natural product NMR, as well as biomolecular structure and dynamics.

This is an ISO/IEC 17025 certified lab, fully operationalized for ASTM, AATCC and ISO testing. Services include static testing at elevated and sub-ambient temperatures, dynamic and impact testing, conditioning, machining, metrology, strain gaging, research and quality control. A wide array of materials including composites, metals, plastics, ceramics, sandwich composites and core materials can be tested.

Gateway Research Park is a joint venture created by NC A&T State University and the University of North Carolina Greensboro to catalyze university research, innovation and economic development.