Skeletal Biology Facilities
Facilities, Equipment, and Techniques
Imaging:
CT scan/bone densitometer
Imaging of intact bone structure
Laser scanning confocal microscope
Imaging of fluorescent, thick specimens
Green, red, far-red fluorescent tags
Laser capture microdissection microscope
Isolation of single cells/regions for further analysis
Epifluorescence/brightfield microscopes
Imaging of fluorescent or stained specimens
Green, red, blue fluorescent tags
Bio-Quant image analysis system
Quantitation of morphometric parameters
AMIRA Image Analysis
Three-dimensional reconstruction of cross-sectional images
Phase contrast inverted microscope
Imaging of live, unstained specimens
Scanning electron microscope
Imaging of surface topography
Transmission electron microscope
Imaging of thin-sectioned plastic embedded samples
3-D Laser Imaging
Quantification of micro-morphology
Molecular and protein analysis:
Quantitative real-time PCR
Analyze RNA levels in multiple samples
SDS-PAGE and Western blotting
Identify proteins by molecular weight and antibody binding
Agarose gel electrophoresis for DNA and RNA
Thermocyclers (PCR)
In vivo analysis:
Electromyography (EMG)
Strain gage
Sonomicrometry
High speed video and force platform data collection
Portable material properties testing equipment
Fossil analysis:
Fossil preparation equipment
Thin sectioning and polishing equipment for preparation of calcified tissues
Techniques:
Imaging modalities using all equipment listed
Quantitative real-time PCR
Microarray analyses
Western analyses
RNAi (using small, interfering RNAs to affect protein levels)
Cell culture
Transfection (introduction of DNA or RNA into cells)
Tissue engineering
Paraffin histology
Cryosectioning (LM and TEM levels)
Immunohistochemistry
Immunofluorescence
TUNEL analyses (apoptosis)
Collagen biochemistry
Fossil preparation
Thin sectioning and polishing of calcified tissues
Immunoelectron microscopy
Electromyography
Strain Studies
Sonomicrometry
Kinematic and Kinetic analyses
