Biophysical Facilities
Biochemistry Krios Electron Microscopy Facility The Biochemistry Department Krios Electron Microscopy Facility (BioKEM) offers single particle cryo-EM and cryo tomography of plunge-frozen samples. Using a Titan Krios G31 (funded by HHMI) for high resolution data collection on a Gatan K3 Direct Detection Camera, the BioKEM facility is able to offer high-end data collection at atomic level resolution with an option to have on-the-fly motion correction, particle picking, and 2D class averaging. The BioKEM facility uses Serial EM for SPA and cryo-ET data acquisition. For sample prep and vitrification, please contact CU Boulder's Electron Microscopy Services at the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Department.
Electron Microscopy Service Facility The CU Boulder EM Services Core Facility, located in the MCDB department, specializes in transmission electron microscopy imaging and sample preparation of biological specimens. The facility carries on the missions of the former Boulder Laboratory for 3D Electron Microscopy of Cells and the MCDB Electron Microscopy Service. Collectively, we have pioneered 3-dimensional imaging of cellular and molecular structures by electron tomography and the use of state of the art cryofixation methods by freeze-substitution, and cryo-EM of vitrified samples.
The Macromolecular X-ray Crystallographic Facility has three controlled-temperature crystallization rooms; a Phoenix robotic dropsetter for setting up crystallization arrays; two automated crystallization imaging systems (at room temperature and 4 °C); a Rigaku MM007 rotating anode with a Raxis IV++ image plate detector and cryocooling system; and a second generator and detector that will soon be upgraded. Additionally, the facility has hardware and workstations for remote data collection at synchrotron facilities.
The NMR Facilities Three NMR facilities Chemistry NMR Facility; JSCBB NMR Facility; serve the research needs of the entire University of Colorado community as well as outside research entities, both public and private, who are not affiliated with the University. These facilities provide access to state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers inlcuding 300, 400, 500, 600, 800 and 900 MHz instruments to support the variety of research needs of inside and outside users.
The Mass Spec Facility serves as a resource offering analytical and instructional expertise in mass spectrometry. We offer a wide selection of mass spectrometry services to the research community within the University system and at large, with the aim of providing scientists with practical training and access to the state-of-the-art instrumentation they need to develop and meet their research interests.
Single Molecule Instrumentation. State-of-the-art, home-built instruments available on campus for analysis of single molecule dynamics and mechanics include: two single molecule TIRF fluorescence microscopy systems for monitoring macromolecules on membranes or surfaces managed by the Falke/Goodrich laboratories and the Schwartz laboratories; single molecule fluorescence lifetime and polarization instrument for probing macromolecular dynamics managed by the Nesbitt laboratory; and laser forceps and atomic force microscopes for probing macromolecular mechanics managed by the Perkins laboratory.
The Light Microscopy Facility (BFALMC) instrumention includes: a Nikon A1R laser scanning confocal and TIRF inverted microscope (7 laser lines), a Nikon N-STORM and TIRF inverted super resolution Microscope (4 laser lines), a Nikon Spinning Disc Confocal (7 laser lines), a Nikon Eclipse TiE inverted widefield epi-fluorescence microscope, a Perkin Elmer Opera Phenix high through-put multiwell imaging robotic microscope, a Molecular Devices ImageXpress long-term, multiwell imaging microscope, and both Imaris and Elements Analysis Workstations.
The MCDB Light Microscopy Core Facility (LMCF) was established in early 2011 in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. The LMCF is located at the heart of campus, in Porter Biosciences, rooms B047, B049 and B051. We are an open access facility and member of the CU Shared Resources network. We serve CU Boulder, academia, and the biotechnology industry. We are a resource beyond the microscopes. Our goal is to help advance the mission of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ - to set a new standard in education, research, scholarship, and creative work.
Biochemistry Shared Instruments Facility The research groups in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Colorado at Boulder have joined forces and placed some of their state-of- the-art instrumentation in a Shared Instruments Pool to facilitate the sharing of instruments and analytical capabilities. This instrumentation is available to users in the member departments and outside users, by prior arrangement and in some cases with usage fees.