Research Support Cores

The research support cores exist in order to facilitate research projects. This division provides quality technical assistance, specialized and widely utilized scientific procedures, access to informational cataloging and/or retrieval of animal histories and previous scientific findings, and rapid and effective communications to appropriate groups. Where feasible and appropriate, fee-for-service rates have been initiated to reduce the center grant costs for these services. These charge backs are designed to significantly recover the cost of staff time and materials.

Each of seven specific cores – Assisted Reproductive Technology, Endocrine Technology, Immunology, Imaging & Morphology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Virology & Serology are staffed with specially-trained personnel and equipment. Laboratory supervisors are responsible for prompt response to the lab requests and for providing the central accounting unit with the required billing information. Each of the Cores has an advisory oversight committee that is made up of scientists and staff at the Center. These committees meet twice a year to review the activities of the cores, assess the amount of chargeback recoveries, and examine progress made on any research development projects. Recommendations for the addition of new services and changes in charge-back fees are made by the oversight committees. The Associate Director, and ultimately the Director, coordinate programs and resolve the common and specific problems. These support laboratories provide an institutional, cohesive structure for support and growth of intra and extramural collaborative research.

Overview of the Support Cores

Assisted Reproductive Technology/Embryonic Stem Cell Support Core

Priorities for new services, activities and developmental studies by the ART/ESC Support Core continue to be established by a committee comprised of all its users. The ART/ESC Laboratory provides researchers with NHP gametes, embryos, follicular cells, embryonic stem cells and other ART/ESC-related services in support of studies on gamete and follicular development, fertilization and contraception, early embryogenesis, pregnancy initiation, fetal development, stem cell biology and cell-based therapy of human disease, and the creation of disease models in NHPs.

Endocrine Technology Support Core

Principal support functions include development of new assays and provision of routine assays for most steroid and protein hormones involved in the regulation of reproduction, metabolism, and the central nervous system.  Assay modalities include RIA, ELISA, Immunoradiometric Assay (IRMA), Liquid Chromatography (LC) and an automated clinical assay platform using immunochemiluminescense technology. The Core utilizes a DPC Immulite 2000 clinical assay platform for measurement of estradiol, progesterone, insulin, ACTH, GH, prolactin, and T3 in monkey sera. The Immulite 2000 instrument has proven extremely robust with rapid turnaround time (up to 60 individual estimates per hour). The quantity of serum required by the instrument is relatively small (10-100 l/test) and the range of detection is adequate (3-4 log dynamic range).

Imaging & Morphology Support Core

This Core is designed to meet the imaging needs of ONPRC scientists by providing superior facilities, assistance and training in the use of morphological methods and imaging technology from tissue preparation, image acquisition and analysis through the production of publication-quality hard copy and digital output. It comprises three units: the Morphology laboratory, Confocal and Laser Capture Microscopy and Digital Imaging Facility, and Medical Illustrations. The importance of imaging technology in modern biological research, in general, and at ONPRC, in particular, has undergone enormous advances that make the acquisition, processing, analysis, publication and storage of digital images an important part of most research programs.

Immunology Support Core

The ISC will be comprised of the existing Flow Cytometry Core (now referred to as the Flow Cytometry Unit, or FCU) and a formerly Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute-based Monoclonal Antibody Unit (MAU), joined with the newly-created Cellular Immunology (CIU) and Luminex (LU) units. The CIU and LU were originally developed as part of the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation CAVD (Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery) consortium, and are now being expanded to all OHSU and ONPRC researchers. Together, the Units will provide four distinct functions essential to the study of NHP cell biology. All these unit laboratories are housed in the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) building where the Pathobiology & Immunology Division researchers are located.  Each of these services is supervised by experts in their respective areas.

Molecular & Cellular Biology Support Core

Molecular biology services include generation of monkey specific cDNAs, establishment of monkey specific realtime PCR assays, automated DNA sequencing, automated genotyping, preparation of monkey genomic DNA, large scale plasmid and phage preparation, supply of a limited number of reagents, training and access to specialized equipment including liquid handling robots, realtime PCR machines, scanning fluorometers and phosphor imaging. Cell biology services include preparation of media and reagents, freezing, storage and amplification of cell lines, transfection and cloning of cell lines, establishment of primary cell lines, preparation of coated culture ware and cover slips, and training of new personnel.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Support Core

In cooperation with the OHSU Advanced Imaging Research Center (AIRC), ONPRC has invested $1.2 million to move a Siemens Magnetom Trio 3T whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and modular laboratory facility to the ONPRC campus. These became operational in December 2006. The facility provides instrumentation and technical support for MRI examinations of sedated nonhuman primate (NHP) subjects at the ONPRC. Additionally, to facilitate the availability of this new resource to the ONPRC community, the MRI facility staff provide advisory support and training to ONPRC scientists.

Virology & Serology Support Core

The goals of this core are: (1) to provide specialized expertise and infrastructure for virus identification and quantification in and/or isolated from clinical specimens in support of pathogenesis and vaccine studies and NHP colony diagnostics; (2) to provide expertise and infrastructure for production, titration and quality control of virus stocks, virus vectors and viral antigen preparations for in vivo and in vitro use; (3) to conduct serologic assays to quantitatively and qualitatively assess host humoral immune responses; (4) to provide cell stocks and sample processing required for virus identification and quantification, virus and vector production and serologic assays; and (5) to develop new reagents and standardized assays.