Cores, or Shared Research Resources, are institutionally funded and supported research centers that are dedicated to meeting scientists’ research needs. Augusta University's Cores Laboratories and or Shared Research Resources are supported by the Senior Vice President for Research.
Many of the services of Core Labs and Core Services are available by request through the iLab portal. Additional information can also be found at the Augusta University iLab page. All AU cores use iLab Solutions Software for scheduling, requesting services and billing. This system allows online scheduling and request submission, provides real-time progress management, and is fully integrated with AU financial billing systems.
The AU Cores and Shared Research Resources are available for all faculty, staff and students, as well as for our colleagues at other universities. Many of these cores will also provide their services to the private sector. The faculty or staff members identified for each core welcome your inquiries about the use of their facilities.
The Georgia Research Alliance, made up of eight universities, have finalized an agreement for the sharing of core research facilities among these institutions. Scientists at these participating entities will be able to utilize cores from any of the participating universities at that institution's internal rate.
Continue ReadingCBGM Bioinformatics Core
Chemical and Biomolecular Analysis Core
The Chemical and Biomolecular Analysis Core offers services, expertise, and collaboration for the research community at Augusta University, other academic institutions, and for-profit companies.
Our main instrumentation includes high field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), circular dichroism spectrometer (CD), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).
Electron Microscopy and Histology Core
The Electron Microscopy & Histology Core Laboratory is located in CB 1113 in the Carl Sanders Research and Education building. The Core is supported by the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy and user fees. The core is available to all Augusta University affiliated investigators and off-campus investigators.
Georgia Esoteric and Molecular Core
The faculty and staff of the Georgia Esoteric and Molecular (GEM) Core provide diagnostic services for the diagnosis and comprehensive evaluation of disease primarily through the molecular analysis of tissues and cells. The faculty is comprised of pathologists and doctoral scientists.
The mission of the GEM Lab is aligned with that of the Institution in its three focus areas i.e. Patient care, Education, and Translational Research.
The GEM lab provides services under three groups:
Georgia Cancer Center | Integrated Genomics
The Integrated Genomics Shared Resource in the Georgia Cancer Center houses a complete Illumina NextGen Sequencing Facility including both HiSeq and MiSeq instruments. Expertise for performing DNA-Seq, RNA-Seq, Chip-Seq, Methyl-Seq and targeted re-sequencing is available. Microarray resources include Affymetrix ® and Agilent ® Scanner Platforms that facilitate exon-specific, oligonucleotide and genome-wide arrays. Bioinformatic support is available for data analysis for both sequencing and microarray data.
Georgia Cancer Center | Flow Cytometry Core Facility
The Flow Cytometry Core Facility is a shared resource providing access to flow cytometers, support equipment, and associated software and services. Our instrumentation affords the ability to perform almost every published flow cytometry protocol.
Georgia Cancer Center | Immune Monitoring Resource
The main objective of the core is to provide standardized immune-based assays, to develop, optimize, and validate new technologies, and to support efforts in the areas of human and animal immunology and immunotherapy.
The IMSR works closely with the Flow Cytometry Core, the Integrated Genomic Shared Resources, and the Tumor Tissue and Serum Repository at the Georgia Cancer Center.
Georgia Cancer Center | Small Animal Imaging Resource
Small Animal Imaging has been commissioned to provide a wide range of imaging and radiation treatment resource for animal research. The preclinical services are translational in operation while remaining cutting edge in the advancement of basic research. The services are available to the Augusta University Research Enterprise and other outside scientific investigators.
Georgia Cancer Center | Bioinformatics Shared Resource
The GCC Bioinformatics Shared Resource provides expertise in integrative computational-based analysis solutions to basic, clinical, and translational research applications. Bioinformatics support ranges in scope from simple consultations to more in-depth collaborations. We require the participation of the investigator during the course of our data analysis because we believe that input into the biological parameters are tantamount to success of the analysis.
Human Cord Blood Stem Cell Core
Human MRI Imaging Core
The Human MRI Imaging Core is dedicated to providing cutting-edge magnetic resonance imaging services for human participants.
The core offers 21 years of MR clinical and research experience in a variety of modalities to investigators both on- and off-campus.
Human Physiology Core
The Human Physiology Core was created to offer a variety of clinically relevant outcomes in humans. The Core is designed to provide services such as Body/Bone Composition, Comprehensive Lung Function, Cardiovascular Health and Metabolic/Exercise Testing.
Imaging Core
The Imaging Core provides expert technical assistance and instrumentation in support of investigators. The Core also educates graduate students in the basic principles of imaging.
Medical Sculpture Core
The Department of Medical Illustration’s Medical Sculpture Core advances education and research capabilities in medical sculpture and anaplastology.
The space serves as an AU Core Research Lab to provide expertise in medical sculpture, volumetric visualization, and 3D printing. This lab space will offer educational and research opportunities for students to develop medical models such as surgical simulation models and patient education models. The research will improve surgical and medical training and provide insight into materials and technology to improve patient care.
Proteomics Core
The Proteomics Core at Augusta University is a resource facility for the characterization and expression level measurement of proteins (isolated or in an extract) by mass spectrometry (MS), electrophoresis, or chromatography.
The lab is directed through the Center of Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine. Services are available to all campus investigators, students and incubator tenants, as well as off-campus users.
Qualitative Research Core
The Qualitative Research Core (QRL) offers consultation and support for qualitative social scientific research at Augusta University. The QRL is housed in the CSSR and operates as a Core research facility for the Augusta University research community.
Small Animal Behavior Core
The Small Animal Behavior Core (SABC) is a state-of-the art facility designed to serve as a time-efficient and cost-effective service for researchers in need of behavioral analyses in small animals (specifically, mice and rats). The Core provides expertise in all aspects related to the design and implementation of behavioral experiments as well as data analysis and interpretation.
Therapeutics Core
The mission of Augusta University Therapeutics Core (AUTC) is to provide an affordable on-campus service platform for the discovery of
novel therapeutic targets and interventions for disease treatment
Transgenic & Genome Editing Core
The Transgenic and Genome Editing Core is a full-service facility supported by Augusta University, The Georgia Research Alliance, and user fees. The Core’s mission is to provide timely and cost-effective services in all phases of transgenic mouse production by pronuclear microinjection into zygotes, gene targeting in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 approach to the research community at Augusta University as well as other academic institutions and for-profit companies. The Core also provides services on preserving your valuable lines by cryopreservation of sperms and embryos, and resurrecting mouse lines using in vitro fertilization (IVF) or embryo transfer. Additional services include rederivation to create pathogen-free mouse lines, developing molecular reagents for genetic engineering, full colony management services, and expert advice on mouse genetics and breeding schemes. The Core is fully equipped to carry out the all procedures of generating mouse models as well as related services.
Transgenic Zebrafish Core
The Transgenic Zebrafish Core functions to facilitate use of zebrafish as a vertebrate model system for basic and biomedical science and comparative genomics. Services, equipment, and resources are available to investigators associated with Augusta University or the University System of Georgia on a fee-for-service basis.
Located in CA-3045 (Interdisciplinary Research Building), the Zebrafish Core Laboratory is equipped to maintain ~50,000 adult fish (3000 aquaria) in a temperature and light-controlled environment. A dedicated staff ensures continuity of care, breeding, and quality embryo production. Core Laboratory microscopes, imaging equipment, and computers (see Instrumentation) are available for use by all Augusta University research laboratories.
Vision Function Assessment Core
The mission of the Culver Vision Discovery Institute is to engage in high impact research and discovery related to visual function and disease the outcome of which is expected to have far-reaching clinical applications for patients suffering from blindness and visual disorders.
Central Supply Services
Central Supply Services (CSS) is a section of Research and Education Services in the Medical College of Georgia. It is a campus facility providing sterilization, preparation and distribution of laboratory supplies and materials.
Clinical Research Pharmacy
The AU Medical Center pharmacy has been assigned responsibility for study medication receipt, storage, dispensing,
accountability and record-keeping for all human subject research on campus.
Clinical Trials Office
The Clinical Trials Office (CTO) serves as the initial point of contact and centralized coordinating office for all clinical research conducted within Augusta University Health. Its mission is to facilitate clinical research by providing quality services, solutions, innovative leadership, the promotion of collaboration, and continuous quality improvement. Its operation is based upon a comprehensive "One Stop Shop" concept for investigators and sponsors. The clinical trials office provides oversight and management of clinical studies.
Division of Laboratory Animal Services
The Division of Laboratory Animal Services maintains a centralized animal care program with administrative management of 6 on-campus and 1 off-campus animal facilities. The animal care and use program is accredited by AAALAC, a Registered Research Facility with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA No. 57-R-0002), and has an Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Assurance number.
Georgia Cancer Center | Biorepository
The Georgia Cancer Center Biorepository (GCCB) provides a wide range of professional collection, annotation, and storage solutions. This Biorepository is also home to a state-wide resource, the Biorepository Alliance of Georgia for Oncology (BRAG-Onc), which functions to collect samples from 6 participating sites across the State to represent the diversity of cancer patients within the State and to enhance cancer research in Georgia.
High Performance Computing Services (HPCS)
High Performance Computing Services (HPCS) will promote, enable and aid research, academic, and cybersecurity missions by integrating leading edge high performance computing (HPC) technologies and services into enterprise service offerings.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) makes certain the research goals of the enterprise are met ensuring compliance and
protection of human subjects involved in research. To serve as the central contact
for facilitating the goals of the Enterprise Human Research Protection Program (HRPP).
Lab Equipment Services
Laboratory Equipment Services (LES) is a Section of Research and Education Services in the Medical College of Georgia. It is an on-site facility providing quality, low cost laboratory equipment repair, preventive maintenance and biological safety cabinet certifications by certified technicians.
Research Support Center - Statistical Consulting Center
The mission of our biostatistics program is to advance knowledge in the fields of biostatistics, and to provide leadership and scholarship in research, teaching and mentoring, for the advancement of biomedical science and improvement of human health. We play a vital role in the education mission and the multidisciplinary and translational research mission of Augusta University, crossing the boundaries of academic colleges.
Research Development Services
Research Development Services (RDS) provides support for obtaining approval for use of AU Medical Center, Clinics, Ancillary Services, Medical Records, and Patients (recruited from or using these services) that will be used during the conduct of a research study.
