Core Facilities

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Core Facilities

CRRC members have access to many core facilities on campus, including the Department of Physiology, Department of Pharmacology and additional institutional cores.  Click here to visit core facilities available to the CRRC.

Please contact Dr. Josh Speed for information regarding use of CRRC equipment.  

Catalog of CRRC equipment supported by the Hypertension & Cardiorenal Diseases Research Training Program (NIH Institutional National Research Service Award, T32HL105324)
Equipment Name, Company & Reference Image:Specifications:
ProteinSimple Jess, Bio-techneProteinSimple Jess, Bio-techneJess is an advancement in Western blotting using ≤ 3 g of sample coupled to automated protein separation and immunodetection to eliminate many of the tedious, error-prone steps. Samples and reagents are loaded into a microplate and Jess separates your proteins by size, and precisely manages antibody additions, incubations, washes and even the detection steps. Overall, data is fully analyzed in 3 hours. Added to high sensitivity multiplexing, best-in-class fluorescent detection channels, and RePlexing capabilities provide rigorous analysis of samples all in one run. In summary, Jess automated Western blot system is like multiplexed Western blot meets ELISA in one machine

Hemavet 950S Hematology Analyzer, Drew ScientificHemavet 950S Hematology Analyzer, Drew Scientific

The hematology analyzer allows for complete blood cells counts of circulating immune cells from 20 μL whole blood of mice or rats.

The hemavet can calculate:

  • WBC (NE#, NE%, LY#, LY%, MO#, MO%, EO#, EO%, BA#, BA%)
  • RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW
  • Platelet Count and MPV
  • 3D Cytograms: WBC subpopulations, RBCs, PLTs

EVOS M5000 Imaging System, ThermoFisher Scientific
EVOS M5000 Imaging System, ThermoFisher Scientific
This workhorse for cell imaging fulfills a broad range of applications and imaging requirements. Semi-automation coupled with biologist-developed software means that the M5000 can revolutionize your imaging workflow. By designing this imaging system with an on-stage incubator and biological safety cabinet fittings, it can be utilized for live cell imaging with high-resolution CMOS monochrome camera capable of fourcolor fluorescence, transmitted light, and color applications.

Droplet Digital ddPCR, Bio-RadDroplet Digital ddPCR, Bio-Rad

Used for quantification of messenger RNA by partitioning samples into ~20,000 oil droplets prior to performing end-point PCR. Absolute quantification is achieved by counting the number of positive and negative droplets using Sybr green or probebased primer assays. Droplet digital PCR allows for compare expression of different genes and between tissues.
Biotelemetry System for Rats and Mice, DSI
Biotelemetry System for Rats and Mice, DSI

DSI (Data Sciences International) is a world leader providing advances in implantable telemetry probes in small animals for pre-clinical research. Their continued optimization to provide the smallest probes on the market that can provide real-time measurements blood pressure, ECG, EEG, EMG, EOG, blood glucose, respiration, temperature, activity, sympathetic nerve activity. This has elevated in vivo research by avoiding challenges such as stress induced by handling and restraining animals while reduce animal count by reusing animals and collecting trustworthy data sampling 24/7 on Ponemah Data Acquisition Software.

Hardware includes:

  • 8 Dual rodent receiver pads (pictured on rack)
  • 1 APR-2, ambient pressure reference (pictured on computer cart)
  • 1 MX2, Matrix 2.0 (pictured on computer cart)
  • 4 HD-X10 implants for mice
  • 4 HD-S10 implants for rats
  • Dell Laptop
Qubit 4 Fluorometer, Invitrogen
Qubit 4 Fluorometer, Invitrogen 
The Qubit 4 Fluorometer accurately and quickly measures the concentration of DNA, RNA, or protein in a single sample. It can also be used to assess RNA integrity and quality. The easy-to-use touchscreen menus make it easy to select and run the assays you need, with results displayed in just a few seconds.

seconds. Multi-Myography System, Danish MyoMulti-Myography System, Danish Myo 

The Multi Myograph System - model 620M is a highly sophisticated yet robust research instrument. It is an easy-to-use system for in-vitro studies of vascular structure and function. The range of applications is countless within isometric vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation of smaller arteries, larger vessels such as the carotid artery and aorta, trachea, intestine, bladder, and many more. Data is acquired by connected LabChart Powerlab software on a designated Dell laptop.
Transdermal GFR Measurement System (TGFR), MediBeaconTransdermal GFR Measurement System (TGFR), MediBeaconTransdermal Glomerular Filtration Rate (TGFR) technology is used extensively in preclinical experimental models (mice, rats or larger animals) in nephrology research. This system allows for longitudinal GFR measurements in the same animal during conscious, freely-moving conditions with limited exposure to anesthetics. Probes use fluorescence to detect clearance of I.V. bolused FITC-Sinistrin. Changes in GFR can be assessed in relation to endogenous biomarkers or in response to therapeutic agents in disease models. The system includes: charging station, probes & jackets to secure detector probe to animal.
Dell Precision Workstation T7910Dell Precision Workstation T7910 This super computer quickly powers through the most demanding compute and graphics-intensive workloads with available software to analyze large data files, including an active subscription to Analyze, Biomedical Imaging Resource, Mayo Clinic.
Micobiological/Tissue C0ulture Duel-Gas CO2 Incubators (N=4), ThermoFisher Scientific
Micobiological/Tissue C0ulture Duel-Gas CO2 Incubators (N=4), ThermoFisher Scientific 

Models available for standard applications or high-value culture experiments with flexible configurations including:

  • HEPA filtration
  • TC CO2 sensor
  • THRIVE active airflow
  • O2 control
  • Water jacketed or direct heat
  • iCAN touchscreen display
  • Decontamination cycle (ContraCon)
  • Sterilization (Steri-Run)
Rat Pressure-Volume (PV) Catheters, AD Instruments
Rat Pressure-Volume (PV) Catheters, AD Instruments 
This Millar Mikro-Tip PV catheter for normal/large rats has a 12.5 cm effective length with a pressure sensor (2F) and four electrodes (electrode spacing 9.0 mm). The pressure sensor is centered between E2 & E3. Catheter body is 1.1F. It should be used with the MPVS Ultra Foundation System. The SPR-838 is reusable and can be repaired. These ultra-miniature Polyimide Nylon catheters can measure both ventricular pressure and volume simultaneously and continuously from the intact beating hearts of rats.
gentleMACS Octo Dissociator, Miltenyi Biotec
gentleMACS Octo Dissociator, Miltenyi Biotec 
This is a benchtop instrument for fully automated and standardized tissue dissociation or homogenization of up to eight samples. It is equipped with eight individual heating units and numerous optimized and ready-to-use gentleMACS Programs. The gentleMACS Octo Dissociator with Heaters offers a fully automated workflow for tissue dissociation. In addition, the instrument allows for creation of user-defined programs for almost any biological material. All eight positions can be operated independently.