Immunohistochemistry Facility

Scientific Director:  Anthony Montag, MD

Technical Director:  Terry Shihong Li, MD

Phone: 773-702-9051

Fax: 773-702-7195

Website:  http://ihccf.uchicago.edu/index.htm

The Immunohistochemistry Facility provides support for basic research in cellular structure/function, as well as translational research in clinical applications and molecular medicine. The Facility provides state-of-the-art immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence technology, as well as primary processing of tissues for histologic sectioning and routine hematoxylin and eosin staining.  Routine services include processing of tissues to paraffin blocks, paraffin and frozen sections, routine hematoxylin and eosin staining, and a variety of immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent stains utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation and a broad array of available characterized antibodies.  Technology and application development is nurtured by a close relationship with Cancer Research Center investigators who produce novel antibodies and reagents in the course of their research.  The laboratory also is an educational resource for investigators and graduate students who are unfamiliar with handling animal tissues and/or with the techniques used by the Core Facility; this activity frequently requires consultation, one-on-one training sessions, advice on protocol development, and trouble shooting assistance.

 

Frank W. Fitch Monoclonal Antibody Facility

Scientific Director:  Anne Sperling, PhD

Technical Director:  Carol McShan

Phone: 773-702-8756

Fax: 773-702-7195

Website: http://fitchantibodies.bsd.uchicago.edu

The Frank W. Fitch Monoclonal Antibody Facility at the University of Chicago provides a wide range of services focusing on the generation and production of monoclonal antibodies.  Since its inception in 1995, the Facility has gained extensive experience in all areas related to the production of monoclonal antibodies from developing unique immunization schedules to customized ELISA screening of subclones.  The Facility also offers large-scale production of high titer antibody supernatant using bioreactor technology, conjugation of antibodies to FITC and biotin, and the development and optimization of ELISAs.  New services in the Facility include assistance in the creation of custom ELISAs to be used in the investigator’s laboratory, customized fusions to obtain monoclonals for DNA analysis, subcloning of hybridomas to obtain and maintain stocks of cells that produce antibody at maximum levels, and assistance in problem-solving the difficult task of purifying IgM antibodies. 

 

Flow Cytometry Facility

Scientific Director:  Anne Sperling, PhD

Technical Director:  Ryan Duggan

Phone: 773-702-9212

Fax: 773-702-7195

Website:  http://ucflow.bsd.uchicago.edu

The Flow Cytometry Facility provides access to state-of-the-art technology and quantitative analytical approaches to measure molecular and cellular function.  The Facility is designed to meet the wide-spread needs for specialized cytologic analysis, and continues to respond to the demand for new and improved technology.  The Flow Cytometry Facility provides instrumentation for bench-top analysis of subcellular components using multiparametric fluorescence detection technology.  With the breadth of instrumentation available from the Facility, virtually any number of experiments can be run, from the simple protein expression assay using a fluorescent reporter such as enhanced green fluorescent protein to a highly complex 9-color functional assay.  The Facility’s cell sorting instruments allow for the fractionation and purification of subpopulations of cells from a heterogeneous single cell suspension.  Cell sorting can be done in bulk at rates of 30,000 cells per second, or populations can be cloned into microtiter plates putting any number of cells into a single well of plates ranging from 6-well to 384-well.  The Facility also aids investigators in the development of novel fluorescence-based assays, aids investigators in the running of assays if needed, provides training in the use of all equipment and software, and provides users with access to software for data analysis.

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