Office of Research
The Office of Research (OR), a central office reporting to the Vice Provost for Research, is charged with assisting faculty, staff, and students in their efforts to promote and secure sponsored research funding. The OR reviews, negotiates, endorses, and provides administrative oversight related to proposals and awards in accordance with all applicable laws, policies and regulations. The Associate Vice Provost for Research Operations of the Office of Research serves as the designated University Officer empowered for all sponsored research activities.
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Center For Biologic Imaging
S233 Biomedical Science Towers
3500 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-648-9796 (phone)
412-648-8330 (fax)
The Center for Biologic Imaging provides centralized imaging services including light fluorescent microscopy, confocal laser scanning, electron microscopy, advanced computer aided morphometry, and image analysis. Review the full listing of Biomedical Imaging Resources.
Center for Vaccine Research
The CVR is housed in the Biomedical Science Tower 3 (BST3). The CVR is composed of the Vaccine Research Laboratory (VRL) and the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL). An array of resources are available for research into infectious diseases including;
Radiotelemetry; Radiotelemetry equipment for monitoring physiological changes (temperature, ECG, blood pressure, pleural pressure, glucose) in conscious unrestrained animals. Can be used in rodents, ferrets, rabbits, and nonhuman primates. DataSciences PhysioTel telemetry system; costs include implants, surgery fees and if needed, assistance with interpretation of telemetry data
Plethysomography; Useful for evaluating lung function in nonhuman primates. Buxco plethysmography chambers and hardware. Cost: latex for head-out NHP chambers
Aerosol Exposure system; Used to expose animals (rodents, ferrets, rabbits, nonhuman primates) to aerosolized pathogens, toxins, or drugs. Creates small particle aerosols that target the entire respiratory tract including the deep lung. Can be used at ABSL-2 or ABSL-3. Biaera AeroMP system including nebulizers, aerosol sampling devices and exposure chambers. Cost: contact Doug Reed to discuss.
Contact: Doug Reed, 412-648-9290
For more information please visit the CVR website.
Functional Imaging Research Program (FIRP)
The Functional Imaging Research Program (FIRP), a joint facility of the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC, allows researchers to make full use of two powerful imaging modalities, positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The physical proximity of these facilities encourages collaboration by bringing investigators and imaging specialists together in an atmosphere of open communication. One of the program's main goals is to facilitate combined modality imaging, in which complementary information from PET and MR images is combined in a single functional image. This program is directed by faculty members from the School of Medicine. Review the full listing of Biomedical Imaging Resources.
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC)
Room B804 UPMC Presbyterian
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-647-9700 (phone)
412-647-9800 (fax)
The MRRC is dedicated to the development and application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for medical and biological research and is forging new paths in the use of functional MRI to study cognitive, sensory, and motor function in the brain. The MRRC currently operates state-of-the-art 1.5T and 3.0T MRI scanners. The MRRC is also scheduled to begin operation of a powerful 7.0T whole-body MRI scanner in the spring of 2005. This scanner will be the most powerful whole-body scanner in the state of Pennsylvania and one of a small group of such instruments that are currently being installed at leading research institutions throughout the US, Japan and Europe. - The Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT) Facility
PUH B-938
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-647-0736 (phone)
412-647-0700 (fax)
The PET Facility supports a variety of research efforts in collaboration with faculty in the Departments of Immunology, Psychiatry, Neurology, Radiology, Medicine, and Anesthesiology and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.
Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR)
412-648-8950 (phone)
412-648-8449 (fax)
The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) facilitates research using animals through quality services and support. The division educates, trains, and informs the University biomedical community, as well as the public, regarding laboratory animal science. DLAR coordinates efforts to provide a humane, quality animal care program in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The programs and facilities are USDA registered and covered under an Assurance with the Office of Lab Animal Welfare (OLAW) of the PHS and accredited by the American Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Lab Animal Care (AAALAC), within the Division. Husbandry, veterinary, and administrative services are available to assist with meeting the institutions research and teaching needs. DLAR forms and animal care policies may be found on the IACUC website.
Genomics and Proteomics Core Laboratories (GPCL)
Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics Analysis
Gold Building
3343 Forbes Avenue, 3rd floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-9440 (phone)
412-648-1891 (fax)
The University of Pittsburgh Genomics and Proteomics Core Laboratories (GPCL) is committed to fostering the implementation of modern genomics and proteomics in research, education, and clinical care encompassing the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Basic and Health Sciences. The GPCL is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and provides a variety of standard as well as customized Genomic and Proteomic analyses and bioinformatics analysis services to university researchers and their collaborators. The GPCL is a designated CTSI core resource facility. The laboratories offer expert knowledge and support with experimental design, new protocol development, technical support, data analysis and interpretation and assistance with manuscript and grant preparation including budgeting.
Genomics services include DNA sequencing, candidate gene and whole genome SNP genotyping, cancer mutation profiling by mass spectrometry, RNA/DNA extraction, purification and QC services, gene expression micro-arrays, and real-time PCR including low density arrays.
Proteomics services offered include shotgun and top-down mass spectrometry-based analyses for protein identification, detection and localization of post-translational modifications, and quantification of changes in protein levels using isobaric labeling chemistries.
Bioinformatics Analysis Core (BAC) services include all aspects of gene expression microarray data analysis, Next Generation Sequence Data Analysis, advanced proteomics profiling and peptide identification, clinical and demographic data mining, disease prediction modeling, survivorship modeling, analysis of SNP data, and study design consultation.
Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)
Scaife 401
3550 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-648-2332 (phone)
412-648-2741 (fax)
Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) mission is to develop, nurture, and support clinical and translational scientists in complex research system. The Institute seeks to integrate investigators across the full spectrum of translational research from bench to bedside to health practice so they are able to collaborate and to leverage each other’s knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. The CTSI also supports the development of novel research methods and the design of new clinical research informatics tools.
The Institute has 10 Cores through which participants from the University of Pittsburgh as well as academic, community, and industry partners engage in this mission:
- Clinical Research Resources (including former GCRCs)
- Community Partnerships
- Design, Biostatistics, & Ethics
- Education, Training, & Career Development
- Informatics Novel Methodologies
- Pilot Study Funding Regulatory Guidance
- Shared Research Resources
Details on shared resources and services available through these Cores can be found through the linked Websites. Inquiries to use any CTSI service or resource begin with completion of an online form through which you can customize your request.
Center for Computational Genetics (GATTACA cluster)
Graduate School of Public Health
624 Parran Hall
130 Desoto Street
Pittsburgh PA 15261
412-383-7959 (phone)
412-624-3020 (fax)
The Center for Computational Genetics at GSPH maintains a computational grid which is optimized for high-throughput genetic and genomic analytic projects. This resource is composed of 64 computational cores with 2GB of RAM allocated to each core. Process and resource allocation is managed using the Sun Grid Engine suite. Local (temporary) storage on the compute nodes is in excess of 300Gb. Users home directories are maintained on a 4Tb RAID5 NAS unit, which is backed up via private network to a 9Tb SAN disk array. All of these machines are secured behind a firewall, which allows for only encrypted communication from the external network (using SSH). All extraneous services on the firewall are turned off, including email, file sharing, printing, etc., so that the machine is as secure as possible. All user accounts are password-restricted - with strong password policies dictating the content of passwords and requiring password rotation - and all data on the grid is restricted using access-control lists so that only appropriate project members have access to a particular projects' data. Various software packages are available covering a wide range of genetic and genomic analytic needs, and all machines are additional enabled for interprocess communication using standard message passing frameworks (mpi). Access is available on a per-project basis, or for more extended usage. All inquiries and/or issues regarding the cluster should be directed to Dr. M. Michael Barmada.
The Health Sciences Tissue Bank (HSTB)
UPMC Shadyside
5230 Centre Ave. WG19
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
412-623-2292 (phone)
412-623-2811 (fax)
Email
The Health Sciences Tissue Bank (HSTB) is funded and operated through a partnership between the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, and the Department of Pathology. The HSTB provides University of Pittsburgh researchers programs with excess tissue materials obtained from procedures performed on patients seen at some of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) hospitals. The main objectives of HSTB are: (1) to provide a mechanism to simplify and streamline the process of research tissue accrual and disbursement, and (2) to provide efficient research pathology support services.
Services provided by HSTB include:
- Human tissue and biological specimen procurement services
- Honest broker services
- Research histology services
- Annotation of clinical data
- Tissue microarray (TMA) services
The HSTB contains a variety of solid tissues, cell aspirates, blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and other biological materials. Solid tissues are available from cancer and from various non-neoplastic disease states of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and lung. True normal tissues procured for approved projects through a working relationship with the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) are also available. The HSTB develops procurement strategies on an ongoing basis for projects requiring tissue types or disease states that are not currently being collected. This effort includes working directly with investigators as an interface with clinics, surgical programs, and the HSTB Warm Autopsy Program. The HSTB has IRB approval for a variety of collections including a specific HSTB IRB to collect tissues that would have otherwise been discarded. The HSTB provides service based on the existing HSTB IRB protocol if appropriate or can assist investigators to submit their own IRB application.
As part of the CTSI, the HSTB offers a full range of services designed to complement other CTSI resources in order to ensure that clinical and translational research is facilitated.