Recombinant Technologies Core
University of Alabama Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research CenterCenter URL: http://www.mrrc.uab.edu/
Core URL: http://www.mrrc.uab.edu/coreb.htm
Core Personnel
Core Co-Director: Michael Brenner, Ph.D
Core Co-Director: Anne Theibert, Ph.D.
Researcher: David Curiel, M.D., Ph.D.
Researcher: Tim Townes, Ph.D.
Core Keywords
PCR amplification and primer design; bacterial and eukaryotic cell transfection; DNA plasmid purification and subcloning; recombinant DNA; bioinformatics; electroporation
The Recombinant Technologies Core is designed to fulfill critical gaps in core support for projects related to developmental neurobiology. Specifically, this core, along with the Developmental Neurobiology Imaging and Tissue Processing Core, has been designed to serve as a cost-effective, intellectual and technical focal point for the bench scientists who address issues of nervous system development and function that are germane or directly related to MRDD.
The need to introduce genetic material into their experimental neural or glial preparations is a strategy common to these investigators. The Recombinant Technology Facility provides state-of-the-art technical and personnel support for researchers interested in the expression and deletion of genes and other molecules in a variety of cells and tissues. Such methods are crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying neural development. Through these services, the Core facilitates studies at the molecular level of brain development and function and disease processes, by promoting collaborative projects among MRRC investigators and by enabling investigators to combine newly acquired cellular and molecular tools with other approaches, such as electrophysiology and behavior. The advantages of the Recombinant Technologies Core include shared technical expertise, cost savings, and interactive discussion on the roles of classes of molecules in development that an individual investigator might not otherwise have appreciated or been able to evaluate.
The objective of the Recombinant Technologies Core is to provide technical and material support for molecular and cellular research by MRRC investigators at UAB. The Core combines support for cutting edge procedures with outreach to the molecularly naïve to encourage and enable application of recombinant techniques to their research projects. It provides state-of-the-art equipment, dedicated technical expertise, comprehensive hands-on training, and reagents in such areas as PCR, neuronal culture, cell transfection, sequence database searching and analysis, and recombinant DNA techniques. Through these services, the Core facilitates studies at the molecular level of brain development and function and disease processes. It also promotes collaborative projects among MRRC investigators, and enables investigators to combine newly acquired cellular and molecular tools with other approaches, such as electrophysiology and behavior. The success of the Core in meeting the needs of the MRRC community is indicated by 2,476 logged uses in the past year.
One of the important functions of the Recombinant Technologies Core is to provide a skilled molecular and cellular biology technical staff. The Core has two full time technical staff members. The technical staff assists core users with instruction in basic molecular biological techniques such as preparation of neuronal cell cultures and competent cells; testing and maintenance of equipment such as the speed vac, spectrophotometer and autoclaves; and maintains supplies.
Last Edited: 08/17/06 12:00 AM by Evette Mezger
