2. Technical Services and Support

A. Microscopy and Imaging Center

The Microscopy and Imaging Center (MIC) is a central research infrastructure facility that houses transmission and scanning electron microscopy as well as light microscopy. The center’s mission is to provide current and emerging technologies for teaching and research involving microscopy and related imaging in the life and material sciences. In addition, MIC develops training and support services for microscopy, sample preparation, in situ analysis, and digital image processing. The Materials Characterization Facility (MCF), affiliated with the MIC, is a multiuser facility designed to support the research efforts of the Texas A&M materials science and engineering community. The MCF houses equipment in support of the fabrication and characterization of new materials and devices.
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Andreas Holzenburg
Director
MIC Website
979.845.1129
Fax 979.847.8933

B. Comparative Medicine Program

The Comparative Medicine Program (CMP) is the centrally administered support service for animal research and teaching programs on the Texas A&M campus. The CMP facilities and services are available to all faculty and staff who have been approved to work with animals in teaching or research by a Texas A&M Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The CMP mission is to enhance excellence in research and teaching through the provision of high-quality animal care at an affordable cost to the faculty, consistent with standards established by the Guide for the Care & Use of Laboratory Animals and all pertinent local, state, and federal laws.

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Elizabeth Browder
Interim Director
CMP Website
979.845.7433
Fax 979.845.6706

C. Texas A&M Institute for Genomic Medicine*

The Texas A&M Institute for Genomic Medicine (TIGM) is a nonprofit, research institute utilizing advancd technologies to discover breakthroughs in science and medicine and accelerate the pace of medical discoveries. TIGM accomplishes this through internal research and collaborations with other institutions. TIGM also maintains the world’s largest library of mouse knockout embryonic stem (ES) cells and provides both ES cells and mice to academic and commercial institutions around the world.

* shared with the Texas A&M Health Science Center

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Richard H. Finnell
Director and Chief Executive Officer
TIGM Website
713.677.7777

D. Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies

The Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies (TIPS) fosters multi-disciplinary service, research and education in a state-of-the-art preclinical research and imaging center. The primary focus of TIPS is to develop research activities and provide core services in the areas of device/drug development, preclinical studies under Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and biomedical imaging. The new facility will provide animal housing, surgical laboratories, pre-OP, recoveery and ICU services. The preclinical imaging center will house a 3T MRI with XMR, a 3-D ECHO, and a fixed cardiac catherization lab. An onsite GLP Clinical Pathology lab equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation to provide diagnostic testing for drug and device development. TIPS will also serve as a key resource for advanced training of professional personnel in product development science and regulatory issues within biotechnology.

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Theresa W. Fossum
Director
TIPS Website
979.845.3374

Fax 979.845.3376

E. Additional Facilities

1. Elemental Analysis Laboratory

The Elemental Analysis Laboratory is a component of the Department of Chemistry’s Center for Chemical Characterization and Analysis. The laboratory provides research support in the area of elemental and trace analysis as well as service analyses to Texas A&M users, other university and government agencies, and private industry. It is unique in that it features fast neutron activation analysis (FNAA) capabilities utilizing D-T neutron generators in addition to thermal instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) using the university’s Nuclear Science Center 1 MW TRIGA research reactor. In addition to these nuclear analytical facilities, the laboratory operates an energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer (EDXRF) and an inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The ICP-MS has been fitted with both conventional sample introduction hardware for solution work, a 213 nm laser ablation system (LA-ICP-MS) for studying solids and surfaces, and most recently with high pressure liquid chromatographic instrumentation (HPLC-ICP-MS) for measuring specific species of certain elements. The laboratory is extensively used to benefit a wide variety of research programs, reporting some 50,000 measurements completed each operational year.
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William D. James
Manager
Laboratory Website
979.845.7630
Fax 979.845.1655

2. Laboratory for Biological Mass Spectrometry

The Laboratory for Biological Mass Spectrometry (LBMS) was established to promote collaborative interactions between developmental mass spectrometry research programs and the mass spectrometry users. Mass spectrometry provides accurate molecular weight determinations for almost any class of biological compounds and can be used for structural characterization of biomolecules. Because many of these experiments are time intensive and instrumentally complex, the LBMS provides several mechanisms whereby research programs can gain access to the research instrumentation. Activities that require methods development and will likely yield publishable analytical data, are targeted for collaborative projects, whereas routine analyses are performed on a service/fee basis.

Mass spectral analysis based on electron impact and chemical ionization is routine and is handled on a service/fee basis. On the other hand, some analyses that require atmospheric pressure-CI, electrospray ionization, and/or matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization require methods development. In cases where the methods development is extensive, it is possible for this to be handled on a collaborative basis, especially if the method may be broadly applicable to other LBMS users.

If you are interested in utilizing mass spectrometry in your research endeavors, you are encouraged to contact the LBMS personnel. They can also provide you with detailed information on how mass spectrometry can be used most effectively to solve your research needs.
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David H. Russell
Director
LBMS Website
979.845.3345
Fax 979.845.9485

3. Laboratory for Molecular Simulation

The Laboratory for Molecular Simulation (LMS) brings molecular modeling and computational chemistry closer to the experimental scientist by offering training to both new and advanced users. Advanced modeling software is available to perform quantum calculations on small molecular or solid systems and molecular mechanics/dynamics modeling for large systems such as proteins, DNA, nanomolecules, polymers, solids, and liquids. The LMS also provides support for faculty that wish to incorporate molecular modeling in their course material.
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Michael B. Hall
Director
LMS Website
979.845.1843
Fax 979.845.2971

Lisa M. Pérez
Manager
979.845.9384
Fax 979.845.2971

4. Protein Chemistry Laboratory

The Protein Chemistry Laboratory (PCL) is a core resource facility created and funded under the auspices of the Division of Research and Graduate Studies (RGS) at Texas A&M. The mission of the laboratory is: 1) to provide access to specialized techniques in protein analysis and proteomics to all Texas A&M scientists, 2) to provide state-of-the-art instrumentation and technical expertise for the application of these modern techniques, and 3) to train Texas A&M scientists and students in the proper application and interpretation of experimental data. This fee-for-service laboratory accepts samples from faculty, scientists, and students of Texas A&M, other educational institutions, and industrial scientists. If capacity is met, preference is given to Texas A&M scientists and students for support of their research. The PCL is overseen by a faculty committee that meets regularly to discuss issues relevant to the facility’s operation and make planning decisions to implement new technologies to keep Texas A&M research on the cutting edge.
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Larry Dangott
Director
PCL Website
979.845.2965
Fax 979.845.8015

5. Gene Technologies Laboratory

The Gene Technologies Laboratory (GTL) represents a vital part of the Texas A&M research infrastructure for molecular and cellular biologists and biochemists. This non-profit core facility has been maintained since 1985 by the Department of Biology, the Institute of Developmental and Molecular Biology, the College of Science, and the Division of Research and Graduate Studies.

The GTL offers DNA sequencing and synthesis services to Texas A&M University System research groups. Sequencing reactions can be performed by the client or by GTL personnel, and results are available electronically, typically overnight. Two-day service is available for oligonucleotides. They are delivered to the client’s laboratory or picked up from the GTL office. Other services include specialty reagents for DNA extraction and analysis, access to Sequencher software, and automated DNA extraction from plant tissues using an Autogen 850 machine. These fee-for-service amenities are available at a low cost. In the past year some 25,000 sequencing reactions were run for more than 150 research groups from five system campuses, and six colleges and 30 departments used the services of the GTL facility.

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Timothy C. Hall
Director
GTL Website
979.845.9844
Fax 979.862.4098

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