Center for Genomics and Biotechnology The rapidly advancing fields of functional genomics and biotechnology have catalyzed extraordinary advancement in our understanding of basic biology and spawned opportunities for practical applications. In the Center for Genomics and Biotechnology housed in the Department of Biological Sciences several projects involving functional genomics and biotechnology are currently being conducted. These projects include the investigation of methanogenesis, microbial biodiversity, and bioactive natural product discovery and development. The Center includes facilities for microarray production and analysis, high-throughput PCR and DNA sequencing, advanced imaging, biomolecule purification, analysis and product development. Also available is a flow cytometer equipped for four color fluorescence detection and single cell sorting.

Equipment for genome-wide transcriptional analysis GenePix 4200A chip reader With two lasers (532 nm green laser and 635 nm red laser ) Upgradable to 4 lasers Continuously adjustable laser power and PMTvoltage controls Dynamic range of four orders of magnitude Fast sequential scanning at 4 minutes per channel Maximum resolution of 5 mm BioRobotics MicroGrid The MicroGrid is designed for high throughput sample handling with the ability to work from 96, 384 or 1536 well microplates Contact printing system using a print head with up to 64 single exchangeable split-tip printing tips. Automated plate and lid handling capacity for up to 20 standard microtitre plates without manual replacement of plates during spotting process (almost 8000 spots). Possibility to program up to 240 plates per run. Ability to print up to 120 DNA array chips per run Climate Control Humidity control with HEPA filter Cooling of sample plates during spot process. Lucidea™ SlidePro (hybridization station) Controlled hybridization and washing of up to 6 slides at a time. Hybridizations are performed in temperature-controlled chambers Automated pretreatment, hybridization, stringency washing and drying of slides. Chambers with individual temperature control, allowing customized process parameters to be used for each slide. Upgradable: Modular format that allows to add up to 4 satellite modules to the base Last Modified: November 17, 2004 Thomas P. Schuck