Facilities, Centers, and Research Programs
The key facility for stem cell research related activities is the
Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) core
facility that was created by virtue of a large NIH instrumentation
award won by a group of investigators across the Cornell campus. This Core provides a crucial service to laboratories
involved in stem cell and other research at Cornell. The NYSTEM funding administered by the Stem Cell Program augments
the existing high-performance cell sorter by the acquisition of: (1) an advanced digital high speed analyzer and more
sensitive optics for more sensitive detection of low signals, both of which are specifically useful for stem cell
research because of the kinds of signals being analyzed. The availability of the analyzer in the core relieves demand
on the sorter and make more time available for sorting; (2) work stations that can support independent user analysis
of data, freeing up the users to analyze their own data without having to use the single computer that controls the
sorter; (3) a retrofit aerosol containment device to enhance insurance of sterility and ensure isolation in the instance
of viable sorts especially when there are agents that may constitute an infectious hazard; (4) a high throughput sample
feed to allow automatic processing of sample batches which would free the operator from the tedious task and allow him
to provide sorting functions that can not be automated. Given frequent overload of the existing equipment, this addition
is be beneficial to all users of FACS services.
The Cornell University Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center (CLC)
provides an array of genomics, proteomics, imaging, IT and
shared research resources and services to the full University community and, as such, all CLC facilities are
readily available to all stem cell researchers. These facilities include DNA Sequencing and Genotyping facility,
The Microarray Facility, Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry facility, The Cornell University Protein facility,
Microscopy and Imaging facility, Cornell Core Transgenic Mouse facility, and Cornell computational biology unit.
Other Core Facilities at Cornell that are available to stem cell researchers include
Developmental Resource for Biophysical Imaging Opto-electronics ,
Cornell Nanofabrication Facility,
Nanobiotechnology Center,
Cornell Center for Materials Research and many others.
Stem Cell Program interacts closely with the
Center for Vertebrate Genomics in areas of vertebrate genetics and functional genomics.
