Core providing NAA and ICP services

The Materials Characterization Facility (MCF) at Texas A&M University is a core user facility supported by the Office of the Vice President for Research, the College of Engineering/TEES and the College of Science. The MCF provides researchers in the TAMU community with access to high-end instrumentation essential for fundamental studies of the surface and interfacial properties of materials, such as ion and electron based spectroscopies, electron, optical and scanning probe microscopies. The MCF is staffed by research scientists with expertise in these areas, and they provide fundamental research training to students and faculty on our instrumentation as well as consolation of measurements needs and data interpretation. Beyond TAMU, the MCF also supports collaborative research projects with outside industrial users. Beyond research training, the facility also supports educational activities involving lab tours, workshops, hands on demonstrations, outreach and broader impact related activities through our open house and lunchtime seminar series.

The PCL strive to provide state-of-the-art instrumentation, systems, software, technical expertise and training for the application of novel protein and molecular biology technologies to drive cutting-edge research. We train students and help scientists in their research. We provide protein and amino acid services to non-TAMU educational and commercial clients.

We provide advanced imaging technologies and image analysis tools for a broad range of life sciences research. This includes vital imaging of cellular processes within cells, tissue explants, and organoids. A variety of support services for transmission electron microscopy of biological samples are available.

The Center for Educational Technologies offers services to researchers looking for collaborators or contractors for their educational or training projects. We offer development tools and hosting services to educators creating their own online training resources.

The Laboratory for Synthetic-Biologic Interactions (LSBI) is a research facility housed in the Department of Chemistry. The LSBI is designed to be a multi-user laboratory supporting major research initiatives within the Chemistry Department, the university and extending to the broader academic and industrial scientific communities. Fifteen instruments are currently available on a fee-for-use basis, and others may be made available on case-by-case considerations.

The Texas A&M Preclinical Phenotyping Core provides a multitude of services on broad post-genomic assays for biochemical, preclinical, rodent phenotyping, and environmental toxicant studies.

The Microscopy and Imaging Center is a core user facility supported by the Office of the Vice President for Research. The MIC is staffed by research scientists with expertise in Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Light Microscopy, and supporting instruments therein. These staff members are happy to provide quality training and education through one-on-one sessions, short courses, formal courses, open house seminars, and more.

The Flow Cytometry Shared Resource Facility at Texas A&M mission is to provide the highest quality flow cytometry experimental design, data collection, data analysis and cell sorting services for the faculty, students and staff of the Texas A&M University system and surrounding universities and companies. We currently provide training for flow cytometers, imaging flow cytometer, and data analysis using IDEAS and FlowJo software. We also provide staff-assisted flow cytometry and imaging flow cytometry data acquisition, cell sorting, and data analysis. The core provides experimental design and consultation services. We also welcome and encourage collaborations on research projects. The FCF currently has a Beckman Coulter Moflo Astrios cell sorter, a Luminex/Amnis Image Stream X Mark II, a Luminex/Amnis Cell Stream, and a Becton Dickinson Accuri C6 flow cytometer. The Astrios cell sorter is housed in the ClassII BSC and has 3 lasers (405nm, 488nm, 642nm) and 11 detectors and can sort up to 6 populations simultaneously. The Image Stream X Mark II is equipped with 20x, 40x, 60x objectives, 4 lasers (405nm, 488nm, 561nm, 642nm), 10 detection channels, EV mode for small particle detection, and an autosampler. The Cell Stream is equipped with 3 lasers (405nm, 488nm, 642nm), 13 detection channels, EV mode for small particle detection, and an autosampler. The Accuri C6 is equipped with 2 lasers (488nm, 642nm), and 4 detection channels. The FCF also has two data analysis computer workstations equipped with IDEAS and FlowJo analysis software.

The AggieFab Nanofabrication Facility is a shared nano/microfabrication facility located on the 1st floor of the Frederick E. Giesecke Engineering Research Building at Texas A&M University. The facility has over 6,500 sq. ft. of class 100/1000 cleanroom space with a raised access floor and vertical laminar flow. There is an additional 4,500 sq. ft. of support space, totaling 11,000 sq. ft. AggieFab houses state-of-the-art equipment for a wide range of micro- and nanoscale fabrication of diverse materials. In addition to the purchase of new nanofabrication tools, the facility acquired $5 M nanopatterning and deposition equipment through a donation from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). These include a Zeiss Orion Helium Ion Microscope/Nanofab, FEI Helios DualBeam Focused Ion Beam (FIB), ASM Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) tool, and a Clustex Multi-target deposition tool. The facility also has recently received $1.5 M from the Texas A&M University Research Development Fund to purchase an Oxford Estrelas DRIE tool and Heidelberg MLA150 Maskless Lithography tool to provide advanced substrate development capabilities. The main supporters of the facility are the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TEES, and the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Provides histology (including cryosectioning, IHC and IFC) digital pathology and veterinary pathology (board certified veterinary pathologist on staff) services

The primary goal of the AgriGenomics Lab (AGL) is to assist graduate students, staff and faculty launch, economize and expedite their research, especially when it involves DNA extraction and quality checks, targeted genotyping and DNA content analysis. We also will, as needed, facilitate usage of complementary cores and assist with research planning and data analysis.

AGL members have free lab access and reduced costs for services as well as one-on-one training and advising with AGL staff. TAMU system users can purchase services at a cost-effective rates. This service is especially useful for investigators interested in exploring new techniques, and obtaining pilot data sets for external funding proposals. Non-system members are also welcome to set up projects using AGL facilities.

The new Soft Matter Facility (SoMF) is the user facility focused on characterization of multifunctional soft materials. The facility includes four instrumentation suites based on the soft-matter-centered research areas which will be unified by the general theme of characterization of hierarchically structured multi-component, multifunctional soft materials: Molecular Characterization, Processing & Mechanics, Thin Films & Interfacial Analysis, and Nanostructure Characterization.

The Protein Chemistry Laboratory performs a wide array of protein analyses including protein/peptide separations and characterization and proteomics analysis. Our major techniques are Amino Acid Analysis, Automated Edman Protein Sequencing, Electrophoresis and Chromatography-based protein/peptide separations and mass spectrometry. In addition, we have expertise and instrumentation for 2D Differential Gel Electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) analysis for high throughput protein expression profiling. We possess Shimadzu/Kratos Axima CFR MALDI-TOF and a Thermo Finnigan LCQ DecaXP Ion Trap mass spectrometers for protein/peptide mass measurement and protein ID from 1D and 2D gels. Our services are available to the entire Texas A&M System as well as outside academic and commercial clients.

At TxGen, our mission is to revolutionize genomic research across AgriLife, COALS, and the Texas A&M University System by providing world-class laboratory and bioinformatics expertise.

We're dedicated to accelerating genomic research across Texas and the world, and embodying the Aggie Core Values of Service, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Respect, and Integrity.