Research Core Facilities

A research core facility is a shared research facility that houses specialized scientific instruments and provides expert consultation and services to investigators. These facilities charge their users predetermined, University-approved rates on a cost recovery basis in exchange for access to state of the art equipment that is generally too expensive for individual users to purchase or maintain. Access to equipment and services is rendered on an equitable basis across the institution and facilitates research across several colleges/schools.

The fundamental requirement of a research core facility is that it needs to enhance research at the University, which can be measured by an increase in the number of research grants funded, in the quality of papers published and/or in the retention and recruitment of faculty.

The University of Texas at Austin has a wide range of core research facilities across campus that are listed below under each reporting unit:

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Cockrell School of Engineering Show More: Microelectronics Research Center

The Microelectronics Research Center (MRC) laboratories reach users from many different fields: electronics, optics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, as well as chemical, mechanical, and petroleum engineering. Lab users are both from universities and corporations. The MRC is more than a clean room with a comprehensive set of advanced nano-fabrication equipment – it is a community of scientists who work together to build advanced technology products and knowledge.
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NAnomanufacturing Systems CENTer

The NAnomanufacturing Systems CENTer (NASCENT) is an NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center (NERC). The center develops high throughput, high yield and versatile nanomanufacturing systems to take nano-science discoveries from the lab to the marketplace. It has 5000 sq. ft. of Class 1000 cleanroom space for manufacturing tools and research enabling test-beds.
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Texas Materials Institute

A vital part of Texas Materials Institute's (TMI) mission is to provide UT-Austin with the instrumentation and infrastructure needed for state-of-the-art materials research. To fulfill this mission, TMI manages a variety of facilities that are supported by Ph.D.-level managers. The facilities include thin film and nano/micro fabrication, x-ray scattering, scanning, transmission electron, and atomic force microscopy, surface and bulk spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and electronic and optoelectronic testing.
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College of Pharmacy Show More: Targeted Therapeutic Drug Discovery & Development Program

The Targeted Therapeutic Drug Discovery & Development Program (TTP) provides researchers with access to cutting-edge technologies and expertise to enable the translation of their research into new treatments for cancers. The goal of TTP is focused on assisting cancer scientists and clinicians by utilizing a truly integrated approach of targeted molecular drug discovery, uniting every key discipline to achieve their goals in a single platform.
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Jackson School of Geosciences Show More: Quadrupole ICP-MS Lab

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is principally used for rapid, precise and accurate trace element (<1000 ppm) determinations in liquid and solid samples, but other applications include isotopic determinations and speciation studies. The power of modern ICP-MS resides in its ability to rapidly measure trace elements at very low detection limits (to sub parts per trillion levels) as well as minor and major elements (at parts per million levels) in the same analytical run on suitably diluted samples.
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Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors Show More: Animal Resource Center

The Animal Resources Center (ARC) oversees the care and use of vertebrate animals utilized as part of the research and teaching activities of the University and serves as a source of expertise and support for investigators and the administration on all issues related to laboratory animals.
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Bioinformatics Consulting Group

Consultations are available on bioinformatics or biocomputing, with BCG experts. Services include standardized analyses, “best practices” implementation of commonly cited, open-source tools and techniques appropriate to the data provided and questions asked. Visit us for a detailed description and pricing of Full Service Pipelines.
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Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility

The Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility has two state-of-the-art Thermo Orbitrap Fusion mass spectrometers to deliver quantitative and qualitative proteomics and protein modification analyses. Self-service instruments are available for researchers to use for IR based protein quantitation, FPLC separations and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry measurements.
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Biomedical Imaging Center

The Biomedical Imaging Center at the The University of Texas at Austin is an interdisciplinary, multi-methods facility specializing in non-invasive neuroimaging. The core of the center is a new Siemens Skyra 3T MRI scanner used by many researchers for studies of human perception, memory, decision-making, and behavior. Unique emphases at the bic include a strong connection to supercomputing resources at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), real-time fMRI, high-resolution / 3D visual presentation, and support for developmental studies.
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Biomedical Research Supplies Core

The Biomedical Research Supplies Core provides molecular biology reagents for campus researchers. Vendors include NEB, ThermoFisher (formerly Life Technologies) and Bio-rad. Custom primer services are also available through IDT and Sigma, as well as special orders for NEB and dry ice and liquid nitrogen.
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Biostore - STEM stockroom

The STEM Stockroom is a self-service facility that provides stock items for sale in the general categories of chemicals, lab supplies, hardware, and office supplies.
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Electronics and General Repair Shop

The Electronics and General Repair Shop provides general electronics, scientific/laboratory equipment repair, maintenance, calibration, installation set-up and design. We are one of the few, if only, Surface Mount Device (SMD) re-work facilities on campus, providing electronics re-work and repair including surface-mount and fine pitch devices. We also work with compressed nitrogen/air equipment for the removal/replacement of surface-mount components and trace repair.
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Genomics Sequencing and Analysis Facility

The Genomics Sequencing and Analysis Facility (GSAF) provides "next-generation" sequencing (NGS) services for comprehensive genome-scale analyses of DNA or RNA and conventional “Sanger” sequencing services for longer reads of cloned inserts or PCR products. The GSAF delivers the highest quality data and value across a broad range of methods used for life science research.
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Microscopy and Imaging Facility

The Microscopy & Imaging Facility provides extensive resources for light microscopy, electron microscopy, flow cytometry and cell sorting. We are dedicated to providing access to both standard and high-end instrumentation to all level of users, from all disciplines across campus. We offer both assisted use and training on instruments, as well as consultations to help users best utilize the available equipment.
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Mouse Genetic Engineering Facility

The mission of the Mouse Genetic Engineering Facility (MGEF) is to generate, archive and distribute genetically engineered mice for researchers at UT Austin. The services provided by the MGEF include: CRISPR and embryonic stem cell microinjection, embryo and sperm cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization, recovery of frozen embryos and rederivation of mice to pathogen-free status.
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Sauer Laboratory for Structural Biology (Cryo-EM)

The Sauer Structural Biology Laboratory is the state-of-the-art cryo-EM facility. The SSBL houses both an FEI Titan Krios equipped with a Gatan K2 Summit direct electron detector and an FEI Talos also equipped with a Gatan K2 Summit direct electron detector. Both of these instruments are capable of imaging macromolecular machines at atomic or near atomic resolution. The facility also contains all of the accessory equipment required for high-resolution structure determination.
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Texas Advanced Computing Center

The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) designs and operates some of the world's most powerful computing resources. The center's mission is to enable discoveries that advance science and society through the application of advanced computing technologies.
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