Welcome!
Biocontainment Core
Research on microbial agents, which cause lethal diseases in humans and for which effective drugs or preventive vaccines are not available, must be conducted by well-trained investigators in specially built, well-maintained laboratories. The Biocontainment Core provides the triad of customized service, research and development, and education and training to investigators at the university and the wider research community.
Objective
To facilitate the transition of the Biocontainment Core into a sustainable state-of-the-art core facility capable of supporting high-caliber research on new, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
Specific Aim 1
Specific Aim 2
Specific Aim 3
Links and Resources
Sequencing core
The sequence of DNA encodes the necessary information for living things to survive and reproduce. Determining the sequence is therefore useful in fundamental research into why and how organisms live, as well as in applied subjects. Because of the key nature of DNA to living things, knowledge of DNA sequence may come in useful in practically any biological research. For example, in medicine it can be used to identify, diagnose and potentially develop treatments for genetic diseases. Similarly, research into pathogens may lead to treatments for contagious diseases. Biotechnology is a burgeoning discipline, with the potential for many useful products and services.
DNA sequencing is the process of determining the nucleotide order of a given DNA fragment. Thus far, most DNA sequencing has been performed using the chain termination method developed by Frederick Sanger. This technique uses sequence-specific termination of a DNA synthesis reaction using modified nucleotide substrates. However, new sequencing technologies such as Pyrosequencing are gaining an increasing share of the sequencing market.
Applied Biosystem utilizes the process of labeling the terminators, commonly called 'dye terminator sequencing'. The major advantage of this approach is the complete sequencing set can be performed in a single reaction, rather than the four needed with the labeled-primer approach. This is accomplished by labeling each of the dideoxynucleotide chain-terminators with a separate fluorescent dye, which fluoresces at a different wavelength.
Links and Resources
Molecular and Cellular Immunology Core
Supported in part by the COBRE-funded Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research since 2003, the Molecular and Cellular Immunology (MCI) Core at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa has experienced steady growth with an expanded capacity and research breadth. The MCI Core has become a truly indispensable resource for researchers engaged in myriad basic, clinical and translational science projects across the western-most IDeA-eligible state of Hawai‘i. Currently, the Core has a user base of more than 40 principal investigators representing diverse research disciplines. Operating as a fee-for-service facility, the MCI Core is equipped with BD FACSAria, BD FACSCalibur, ThermoFisher SCIENTIFIC AttuneNxt, GuavaEAsyCytePlus, Luminex 200, Beckman-Coulter ViCell and ThermoFisher SCIENTIFIC Countess II FL cell counters, CTL-ImmunoSpot® S5 Core Analyzer, Bio-Rad and BioTek ELx808 ELISA readers and washers, PerkinElmer VICTOR X3, and Faxitron compact 43855D X-ray Irradiation System. Emphasis is also placed on developing new and customized immunological assays, as well as applying innovative uses of core instruments for non-immunological investigations. In addition, regularly scheduled training workshops are held to enrich the educational and mentoring experience of COBRE investigators and other faculty and students throughout the university and across the research community at large. As the sole resource for flow cytometry, cell sorting and state-of-the-art immunological services for bioscience researchers in Hawai‘i, the MCI Core is an outstanding example of how investments made to improve the research infrastructure and environment and to maximize access to and utilization of specialized instrumentations can be transformative, in terms of increasing research productivity, accelerating scientific innovation, improving grant competitiveness, as well as fostering trans-disciplinary partnerships and translational research collaborations at the University of Hawai‘i for the State of Hawai‘i, and beyond.
Links and Resources
| Biocontainment Core | |
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| Sequencing Core | |
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| Molecular and Cellular Immunology Core | |
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Alexandra Gurary, PhD
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| Hours | Location |
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Biocontainment Core
Molecular and Immunology Core
DNA Sequencing |
University of Hawaii,
University of Hawaii,
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| Name | Role | Phone | Location | |
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| Vivek R. Nerurkar |
Director, Biocontainment Core
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808-692-1668
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nerurkar@hawaii.edu
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BSB 320
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| Abigail Avelar |
Sequencing Technician
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genomics@hawaii.edu
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BSB 309
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| George Hui |
Director, MCI
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808-692-1609
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ghui@hawaii.edu
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BSB 320
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| Alexandra Gurary |
Associate Director, MCI
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808-692-1794
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gurary@hawaii.edu
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BSB 330
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| Ashley Yount |
iLab Institutional Manager
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808-692-1617
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amyount@hawaii.edu
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BSB 320
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