Augusta University's iLab: A Hub for Advancing Biomedical Research and Clinical Practice
Augusta University (AU) is committed to fostering a robust research environment through its network of core facilities and shared resources. These resources are available to all faculty, staff, and students within AU, as well as to colleagues at other universities and even the private sector. By providing access to cutting-edge technologies, expert consultations, and comprehensive services, AU's iLab serves as a vital resource for advancing biomedical research and clinical practice.
Core Facilities and Shared Resources: A Comprehensive Overview
AU's core facilities and shared resources offer a wide array of capabilities to support researchers across various disciplines. These include:
CBGM Bioinformatics Core: This core serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research in genomics, proteomics, and computational biology. The goal of the CBGM Bioinformatics Core is to provide a hub for interdisciplinary research in genomics, proteomics, and computational biology.
Electron Microscopy & Histology Core Laboratory: Supported by the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy and user fees, this core provides essential services for visualizing and analyzing biological samples at the microscopic level.
Integrated Genomics Shared Resource: Housing a complete Illumina NextGen Sequencing Facility, this resource offers advanced genomic sequencing capabilities, including re-sequencing.
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Biorepository Shared Resource: This resource provides a wide range of professional collection, annotation, and storage solutions for biological samples.
Small Animal Imaging: This core provides a wide range of imaging and radiation treatment resource for animal research. The preclinical services are translational in operation while remaining cutting edge in the advancement of basic research.
Flow and Mass Cytometry Core Facility: Located within the Georgia Cancer Center, this shared resource provides access to flow cytometers, support equipment, and associated software and services.
Georgia Research Pathology Core: The faculty and staff of the Georgia Research Pathology Core provide diagnostic services for the diagnosis and comprehensive evaluation of disease primarily through the molecular analysis of tissues and cells.
Human Physiology Core: Created to offer a variety of clinically relevant outcomes in humans.
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Imaging Core: Provides expert technical assistance and instrumentation in support of investigators.
Human MRI Imaging Core: This core is dedicated to providing cutting-edge magnetic resonance imaging services for human participants.
Medical Sculpture Core: The Core Lab to provides expertise in medical sculpture, volumetric visualization, and 3D printing. The Medical Sculpture Core advances education and research capabilities in medical sculpture and anaplastology.
Therapeutics Core: This core aids the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and interventions for disease treatment.
Transgenic and Genome Editing Core: This core provides services of transgenic mouse production by pronuclear microinjection into zygotes, gene targeting in embryonic stem cells, and gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 approach. The lab is directed through the Center of Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine.
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Visual Function Assessment Core: Conducts cutting-edge clinically relevant vision research related to sight-threatening disorders.
Georgia Cancer Center Immune Monitoring Resource (GCCIMSR) laboratory: The mission of the Georgia Cancer Center Immune Monitoring Resource (GCCIMSR) laboratory is to provide comprehensive immune monitoring services using the latest technology and expertise to perform various types of basic and translational research projects.
Chemical and Biomolecular Analysis Facility: The Chemical and Biomolecular Analysis Facility provides instrumentation for determination of structure and purity of a wide variety of materials, or for preliminary data necessary for further study on larger instruments. Spectroscopic instruments are available for characterization of organic, inorganic, and biological samples.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility: The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) instruments can provide structure or molecular interaction analysis of small organic molecules, peptides, 3D structure of proteins up to 12-15 kDa, ligand binding to larger proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids of 8 kDa or less, and selected metals.
Services Offered
The AU Cores and Shared Resources offer a wide range of services to support researchers, including:
- Experimental design consultation
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Training on equipment and software
- Assistance with grant applications
- Custom assay development
- Sample preparation
- Imaging and analysis
- Statistical consulting
- Molecular analysis of tissues and cells
- Transgenic mouse production
- Genome editing
- Immune monitoring
- Determination of structure and purity of a wide variety of materials
These services are available to researchers at Augusta University, other academic institutions, and for-profit companies.
Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)
Augusta University (AU) established the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) to monitor, evaluate, and continually improve the protection of human research participants; dedicate resources sufficient to do so; exercise oversight of research protection; educate investigators and research staff about their ethical responsibility to protect research participants; and when appropriate provide a mechanism to intervene in research and respond to the concerns of research participants. This program applies to all research approved by a AU IRB, to include Augusta University, AU Medical Center, other AU facilities, and AU‐IRB approved studies conducted at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. AU has designated the AU IRB Office and Institutional Official to provide oversight for the HRPP. All human research conducted in our research community must comply with the policies and procedures outlined in the IRB policies and all applicable institutional policies. The AU IRB Office web site contains the policies, procedures guidance for the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and the members of our research community involved in the conduct of human research. The AU research community includes AU, AU Medical Center, other AU facilities and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.
Animal Facilities
AU has 2 on-campus animal facilities and 1 off-campus animal facilities. (USDA No.
Importance of Acknowledging Cores in Publications
It is essential to acknowledge the contributions of core facilities and shared resources in publications. This not only recognizes the efforts of the faculty and staff who operate these resources but also helps to ensure their continued funding and support.
Research Resource Identifiers (RRID)
Research Resource Identifiers (#RRID) are ID numbers assigned to help authors identify all key biological resources including core facilities, support the proper citation and authentication of each resource, and enable the FAIR sharing of resource information. RRIDs are part of the MDAR checklist, a pan-publisher rigor and transparency checklist created and endorsed by major publishers.
The Impact of Research at Augusta University
Research conducted at Augusta University has a significant impact on subsequent research, public health improvement, and economic progress. Dr. Balas is a tenured public health professor at Augusta University. Dr. Balas’s work has been widely published.
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