Department of Biology


Biology Research Facilities Overview

The individual research labs in The Department of Biology possess the necessary equipment, instrumentation, and supplies to support each faculty member's research studies. Faculty research is supported further by the presence of facilities available for use by members of the research community in the Department of Biology (see listing below):


Molecular Biology Equipment/Resources:

  • Sequencing & Genotyping Facility (click here to go to facility website)
  • Twelve PCR thermocyclers.
  • Real-Time PCR Thermocyclers
  • Gel Documentation systems
  • On-site molecular biology supply store: Reagents and kits

Cell Biology Facilities:

  • Tissue Culture Facility - six NUAIRE™ Biological safety cabinets (Class II, Type A/B3)
  • Micomanipulators
  • Flow cytometer
  • Biorad (GenePulser II) cell electroporation apparatus
  • Table-top and Incubator Shakers 
  • Microtome and Histology facilities
  • Probe and bath sonicators, and tissue homogenizers

Plant Research Facilities:

  • Large research greenhouse
  • Growth chambers
  • Outdoor field plot space

Centrifuges:

  • Two Beckman J2-21 centrifuge with J2-21 and JA-14 rotors
  • Beckman TL100 Refrigerated Ultracentrifuge with a TLA100.2 rotor
  • Low-speed refrigerated centrifuges. 

Equipment for Protein and Cellular Assays:

  • Gel electrophoresis equipment for performing both one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, as well as immunoblotting.
  • Multi-channel microplate reader
  • Luminometer
  • Phosphorimager
  • Spectrophotometers
  • Scintillation counter
  • Fluorometers

Microscopy Facilities:

Other Major Equipment:

  • Three broad temperature-range environmental rooms
  • Biorad Molecular Imager ChemiDoc XRS System (more information)
  • Darkroom facilities
  • Dedicated Radioactivity Room
  • Autoclaves
  • Animal Housing/Care Facility