Integrated Cancer Research Core

Welcome to the Integrated Cancer Research Core (ICRC) at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology and South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.

About

Our Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and UT-System funded facility supports state-of-the-art instrumentation and technology services to support cancer and biomedical research infrastructure in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. The core is directed by Dr. Subhash C. Chauhan in collaboration with Co-Core Director Dr. Murali Yallapu.

Services

1. Cellular and Molecular Imaging Facility
This facility equipped cellular and imaging platforms that provide superior quality of light and fluorescence microscopes for evaluating cellular and molecular events with the cell.
  • A1R HD25 Confocal Microscope. Location 1.320s
  • EVOS M7000. Location 2.227C
  • Leica Microscope DM4B/DFC7000 T. Location 1.317
  • EVOS FLoid Cell Imaging Station. Location 2.230C
  • EVOS XL Core. Location 2.229A
2. Small Animal Imaging Facility
These instruments provide capabilities of non-invasive detection and quantification of the levels and locations of fluorescently-labelled, radio-labelled, and other imaging modality agents in the imaging of small animals. This facility enables access and comprehensive services to images of phantoms, biological tissues, appendages of human subjects, and small animals.
  • IVIS Lumina XRMS. Location 2.332
3. Flow Cytometry Facility
This facility provides flow cytometric analysis and cell sorting capabilities for efficient standard flow cytometry assays (immunophenotyping of human blood samples, custom multi-color immunophenotyping, cells subsets, subpopulation of NK/monocytes, circulating stem cells/progenitors, interleukin and cytokine assays, etc.) and functional flow cytometry and bead assays (cell proliferation/viability, cell cycle, MMP/ROS, mitochondrial based assays, apoptosis, phagocytosis, intracellular protein, Th1, Th2, Th17, etc.).
  • Attune NxT. Acoustic Focusing Cytometer. Location 1.318
4. Proteomic Facility
This facility provides access to the instrumentation and data analysis that can enable protein identification, characterization, and quantification from cellular and biological samples. The proteomics tools facilities biomarker discovery, signaling pathway analysis, interactome analysis, drug target analysis, etc.
  • QX200 Droplet generator and Reader. Location 2.227A
  • NGC Liquid Chromatography System. Location 1.319
5. Immunohistochemistry Facility
This facility offers processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining of animal tissues. This facility also supports immunohistochemistry for research, preclinical and clinical evaluations.
  • Tissue Processor STP 120. Location 1.314
  • Rotary Microtome HM355S. Location 1.314
  • HistoStart – Tissue Embedding System. Location 1.314
  • Pannoramic MIDI II BF. Location 1.317
6. Theranostic Facility
This facility provides conventional drug delivery, nanotechnology, cellular evaluation, and physico-chemical characteristic evaluation.
  • xCELLigence RTCA DP. Location 2.228C
  • Malvern Zetasizer Ultra. Location 2.228C
  • GentleMACS Octo Dissociator. Location 2.229A
  • NanoDrop One. Location 2.231A
  • Varioskan LUX. Location 2.227C
  • ChemiDoc MP. Imaging System. Location 2.227C
Due to high demand and required sample preparation, we will be unable to accept samples without 48 hours prior notice.

Training

No initial training is required for our technicians and scientists to transport samples to the ICRC facility, run samples, and analyze the data. ICRC offers formal training on all our core facility instrumentation and their use and analysis for those users needing a discounted standard rate for self-usage. Off-hour use requires prior permissions.

Service Fee and Consultation Charges

A cost recovery plan will be implemented through the utilization of user fees. Starting user fees are projected to be from $20-35/hr. for flow cytometry, $35-50/hr. for animal imaging and cell sorting services, and $50-75/hr. for proteomics and image stream services.

Additionally, $25/hr. will be charged for technical service and samples preparation by the technician.

ICRC will provide allowances in the range of $2,000 to $4,000/investigator to the meritorious new line of research performed by young investigators who cannot afford service charges. Allowances will be awarded upon reviewing a two-page request submitted by the investigator, based on feasibility, significance, cancer relevance, scientific merit, and potential return on investment.

Reservations

To reserve time for use of instrumentation and services, please contact the ICRC Director or Co-Director.

Priority will be given to academic research over industry research.  Additionally, preference is given to funded research programs and new projects by Early Stage Investigators. 


Acknowledgment of CPRIT and UT-System Funding

“This research was supported in part by the Integrated Cancer Research Core funded by CPRIT Grant #RP210180 and UT-System.”

 

 

Location

Department of Immunology and Microbiology
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
5300 North L. Street
McAllen, TX 78504

 

Integrated Cancer Research Core

Director

Subhash C. Chauhan, PhD


Subhash C. Chauhan, PhD
Professor and Chairman
South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research