Stem Cell Initiative supports and sponsors three core facilities through procurement of equipments as well as by helping in their set up and operation. These equipments include:

1. A new Fluorescent-Activated Cell Sorter, FacsAria II ,that can sort 4 populations simultaneously into either tubes or 96 well plates. The instrument is up and running and investigators reserve time on the machine via a Columbia web site.

2. Two Deep Genomic Sequencers. Two Applied Biosystems SOLID 3 sequencers were bought through NIH and HHMI funds to two members of SCI and used NYSTEM funds to purchase hardware and software for the sequencers and start- up salaries for technicians. One sequencer is in place and is operational. A bioinformatics analyst is available to help with data analysis.

3. Ultrasound-Guided Microinjection system, Visualsonic Vevo 770 High Resolution In Vivo Imaging System, which is equipped with ultrasound probes for rat and mouse, heated table for anesthetized animals, integrated Rail System III (promotes set-up, alignment and adjustment of the ultrasound probe) and a micro-injection system (for image-guided injections). This facility, located at Black 1432, is awaiting renovations in the room to make it more user-friendly and should be operational soon.

4. Functional imaging core for stem cell research. This core is a state-of-the-art facility that enables imaging studies for a variety of stem cell-related research areas. The equipment consists of a top-of-the-line Leica confocal / two-photon microscope, the CRi Maestro II small animal imaging system, an automated microplate reader, a high-throughput proteomics device, and an automated histology facility for tissue processing and embedding. The core is located at Columbia’s Morningside campus, and the space comprises equipment, imaging, cell culture and freezer rooms. For information and scheduling please go to http://www.bme.columbia.edu/gvnweb/nystem.htm

The first two equipments are part of the “Shared Resources” facility of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) and are located at HICCC.

Click here for the FACS facility.

Click here for the Deep Genomic Sequencing facility.