The Imaging Core at the Miami Project provides state-of-the-art equipment and services available to all UM researchers.
The Core offers training and assistance in a range of light microscope techniques including spinning disk confocal, super resolution imaging, lightsheet imaging of cleared organ and stereology systems.
The Core also offers image analysis software (Imaris neuroscience package) including 3D image rendering, surface creation, spot detection and filament tracing.
The Core focuses on providing state-of-the-art digital imaging technologies to ensure high-quality interdisciplinary data acquisition across multiple laboratories.

The Drug Discovery Core (DDC) at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis leverages the PerkinElmer Opera Phenix Plus high content screening system to provide researchers with state-of-the-art assay development and phenotypic screening capabilities. The core facility is also equipped with a PerkinElmer Janus G3 liquid handler, featuring modular and variable dispense heads, to automate screening workflows and enhance throughput.

The core supports a wide range of phenotypic and target-based assays. Phenotypic assays range from 2D to 3D, widefield to confocal, and antibody to dye based. It collaborates with users to develop customized assays and analytical pipelines tailored to their specific needs. Current specializations include neurite tracing, lipid droplet quantification, cell viability, morphological and kinetic analyses, phagocytosis, cell marker detection, cell adhesion, among others.

The Cytometry and Imaging Shared Resource at Sylvester is an ISAC-recognized Shared Resource Laboratory for excellence, and provides researchers with sophisticated methods for the analysis and preparative sorting of both normal and tumor cells. The facility helps researchers to measure parameters including apoptosis, gene expression, drug metabolism, immune responses and pathways of cellular activation, both normal and tumor-related. The facility also provides access to high parameter cytometry instrumentation including spectral cytometry, mass cytometry (CyTOF) and imaging mass cytometry. The facility also offers optical imaging services including live cell imaging and confocal microscopy.

Core provides standardized services for derivation and characterization of human iPSC lines from peripheral blood and tissue samples. Offerings include PBMC isolation, reprogramming, Sendai virus reprogramming vector removal and analysis, karyotyping, mycoplasma testing, in vitro differentiation of neural and hemopoietic progenitor cells, and immunocytochemical staining of cell type markers and imaging. Core additionally offers hands-on training and consultation to support the use of iPSC technologies in disease modeling.

The Sylvester Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource (BBSR) provides expertise and analysis support for basic and translational research, clinical trials, and both interventional and non-interventional population-based studies. The BBSR offers support for data-intensive and large-scale data analysis projects. BSSR services include support for data analysis and interpretation; software access; algorithm and database development; support of scientific review, monitoring, and oversight of clinical and population science research protocols; consultation, training, educational workshops, lectures and seminars. The BBSR enables investigators to take advantage of advances in data acquisition in oncology research by employing cutting-edge data analysis tools and methods. Biostatistics services include support for the statistical design of clinical trials, population studies, and laboratory experiments; sample size determination and justification; statistical analysis plans; statistical support for data and safety monitoring of clinical trials; data analysis and interpretation; prediction model development using machine learning techniques; and database design and data management. Bioinformatics services include project design for high-throughput genomics studies; support for next generation sequencing data analysis (including whole transcriptome profiling; targeted region gene expression and single-cell RNA-seq; epigenomics profiling such as ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq; and exome or whole genome sequencing analysis); pathway analysis; microbiome data analysis; functional metagenomics analysis; drug sensitivity and genomic association analysis; genomic data integration using public databases; integration analysis of genomic data across multiple platforms; genomic data visualization; and bioinformatics methods, analysis pipeline, software and algorithm development. BBSR services can be utilized for QA/QC, including quality assessment of sequencing data, sample outlier detection, batch effect determination, evaluation of spike-in control methods, randomized block design, and other strategies for data normalization. T

The HIHG sequencing core offers a wide range of services utilizing the Illumina X Plus, the Pacific Biosciences Revio, the Oxford Nanopore PromethION, and the 10x Genomics single cell sequencing platform. We have extensive knowledge of all library preparation and capture protocols for both DNA and RNA. To meet the sequencing needs of your project, sample preparation is fully automated on Perkin Elmer robotic workstations and tracked via the Clarity LIMS, enabling low-cost, high-quality data with competitive turnaround times and one-on-one customer service.

Core provides access to analytical and imaging techniques for cellular and tissue imaging as well as molecular analysis of pathology specimens. Training is provided for investigators, fellows, and technical staff in proper use of techniques and instruments.

The VVC produces high-titer lentiviral and AAV viral particles at lower prices compared to commercial sources. Furthermore, using the VVC will likely provide a significant cost savings versus an individual lab trying to produce the viral particles on its own (consider the costs of reagent, labor, time, and troubleshooting).

The VVC has stock viruses (e.g., GFP-, mCherry-, and LacZ-expressing lentiviral and AAV particles) that can be purchased inexpensively by the vial. For generating custom viral particles, the investigator provides the VVC with a high-quality maxiprep of the transfer plasmid to be packaged into the viral particle of choice. Turn-around time is about 2 weeks for lentivirus and AAV viral particles.

The Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Core facility is to provide the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine academic and research community access to the conventional transmission electron microscope and associated sample processing services.

The TEM Core has two JEOL JEM-1400 microscopes each equipped with an AMT digital camera available on a fee for service and first come first served basis to all student, faculty, researcher, or corporate entity that may need this specialized technique.

The University of Miami Center for Advanced Microscopy (UMCAM) provides SEM (scanning electron microscopy) services. This includes biological (tissues and cells) and particulate characterization. The hourly fee for academic usage is $100/hr and the commercial fee is $200/hr. This applies to all instruments.

The Laboratory at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine\'s Diabetes Research Institue has been in operation since 1986 providing biomarker testing for human clinilcal research studies across multiple disciplines. An experienced clincial supervisor oversees the activities of the laboratory staff.and all l have extensive experience with chemistry, special chemistry, radioimmunoassay, nephelometric and ELISA and multiplexing assay methods utilizing automated and manual procedures. The laboratory has Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) certification. The laboratory follows guidelines established by CLIA for quality control and proficiency testing to ensure reliable, dependable and meaningful results.
The mission of the core is:
-To coordinate proper pre-analytical sample collection and processing procedures with project leaders.
-To perform biochemical assays on samples submitted to the laboratory by investigators in a manner that assures strict quality control both within and between assay runs.
-To report results to project staff in a timely fashion.
-To make available the expertise and technical assistance of the Core for establishing and validating new methodologies to support UM investigators as needs dictate.

Excellence in research requires high quality analyses of biological specimens to determine if the intervention will make a difference and to characterize your animal model. Testing indicated will vary based on each studies objectives. These analyses may include hematological, clinical chemistry, and specialized immunoassays. On review of this website, you will find the most commonly requested tests; however, many specialized analyses, panels, and procedures are available on request. Custom panels can be designed and pricing can be significantly modified with batch analysis of samples. We are committed to provide excellent pathology services to aid in the success of your research project.

The Onco-Genomics Shared Resource (OGSR) provides access to a wide range of technologies and services for the study of the genomics and epigenomics of cancer, in addition to providing technical expertise for project design, trouble-shooting and pre- and post-award support. Principle service areas encompass: 1) next generation sequencing (NGS), 2) single cell genomics 3) Spatial Genomics 4) gene expression assays and molecular quantitation, 5) services for sample extraction and QC.

The Sylvester Molecular Therapeutics Shared Resource (MTSR) provides preclinical drug discovery and development services to facilitate the discovery of small molecules that have the potential to become cancer therapeutics. The MTSR offers expertise in drug discovery and facilitates the process of uncovering novel treatments for cancer. MTSR services include target evaluation and assay development; small molecule library preparation, screening, and curation; high throughput screening (HTS) enablement; plate imaging and transfers; assay identification, development and implementation; standard and customized assays (including live cell metabolic assays, cell death assays, clonogenic assays, and alphascreen); support for hit-to-lead pharmacology (including pharmacokinetics and ADME/T); data analytics for hit-picking; investigational new drug (IND) enablement; and full pipeline project management. The MTSR also offers consultation, training, educational workshops and seminars. Overall, MTSR services support the implementation and advancement of preclinical drug discovery pipelines that facilitate the translation of basic research into clinical utility.

The Sylvester Cancer Modeling Shared Resource (CMSR) provides state-of-the-art preclinical cancer modeling services to foster cancer research and to accelerate the discovery of tailored anti-tumor therapies, including preclinical data for drug development, proof of principle for novel therapies, preclinical imaging, and disease biomarker studies. The CMSR’s integrated services include facilitating the in vivo modeling of human disease using murine models; supporting preclinical in vivo efficacy and toxicity studies; devising treatment protocols; using noninvasive imaging for diagnosis and evaluation of responses to treatment; and performing histopathological analysis of targeted cancer therapies. Specific services include (1) support for the development of experimental murine models of cancer, including with cell line and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), genetically engineered models, and humanized models; (2) support for devising and implementing treatment protocols in a pre-clinical setting using murine models of human disease (e.g., drug toxicology and efficacy studies, drug formulation and delivery, and related assessments, like cell blood count, clinical chemistry, and flow cytometry analysis); and (3) diagnosis and evaluation of responses to treatment, using noninvasive small animal imaging for diagnosis and evaluation of responses to treatment, including in vivo bioluminescence and fluorescence optical imaging, high-frequency ultrasound imaging, structural and functional nuclear imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and (b) research histopathological analysis of targeted cancer therapies, including H&E and immunohistochemistry (IHC) sectioning, staining, scanning and analysis, and data storage of digital slide images. The CMSR also offers consultation, training, educational workshops and seminars. CMSR radiotherapy services support both small animal total body and image-guided radiation treatment delivery with sub-millimetric accuracy for development of radiation therapy regimens in a preclinical setting.

The Sylvester Biospecimen Shared Resource (BSSR) provides biorepository resources, services and expertise in support of oncology research. The BSSR facilitates translational cancer research with standard operating procedures for patient consenting; protection of patient personal and clinical data; specimen procurement and processing; quality control of specimens; secured specimen storage, retrieval, and distribution; and provision of relevant de-identified clinical data. BSSR services include: (1) biospecimen collection, annotation, processing, storage and distribution (including tissue, blood, and other fluids); (2) plasma, serum, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) processing and cryopreservation; (3) rapid acquisition of surgical tissue and fresh biopsies; (4) participant screening and enrollment for biospecimen collection studies; (5) formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and frozen tissue retrieval, processing, sectioning, histological staining, and digital whole slide scanning; (6) tissue microarrays production; (7) support for non-therapeutic trials; and (8) consultation on project design, data analysis and interpretation. The BSSR offers access to a large and growing biobank of diverse tissue types, including clinically annotated neoplastic and non-neoplastic samples from a diverse array of anatomical sites, and provides banked specimen as well as fresh specimen procurement at an institution-wide level. Through the BSSR, investigators have access to an array of specimens collected from the University of Miami Hospital, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, and Jackson Memorial Hospital, as well as to specimens collected in more broadly based multi-site studies. The BSSR acts as an honest broker for maximizing efficiency for biobanking efforts and provides uniform standard operating procedures for biorepository related research. In addition, the BSSR provides services in support of non-therapeutic trials that involve biospecimen collection, including study recruitment and retention, data management and entry, and study support. The BSSR also offers training and educational workshops and seminars. BSSR services are provided for research purposes for both Internal Review Board (IRB) approved research studies as well as for projects determined to meet non-human research criteria.

The Sylvester Behavioral and Community-Based Research Shared Resource (BCSR) provides services and expertise that facilitate behavioral, psychosocial, community, translational, and population-based oncology research. Services include (1) coordinating the recruitment and retention of diverse study participants representative of Sylvester’s South Florida catchment area (one of the most multicultural and multilingual regions in the US); (2) supporting the development of culturally and linguistically tailored study materials; (3) facilitating data collection and management, including for biospecimens, in clinical and community settings (e.g., conducting focus groups and administering surveys and qualitative interviews); (4) assisting with the development and delivery of evidence-based interventions across the cancer continuum from prevention to survivorship; and (5) offering seminars, workshops and training. The BCSR offers consultation on culturally appropriate approaches for study implementation and provides translation of study materials (such as informed consent forms and research protocols) into Spanish and/or Haitian Creole, to enhance broad-based recruitment potential. BCSR services facilitate participation in Sylvester’s interventional and non-interventional research studies. Moreover, the expertise and services offered by the BCSR are fundamental in helping to ensure that the Cancer Center’s research is representative of its catchment area’s unique sociodemographic diversity, one of the most multicultural and multilingual regions in the United States. The BCSR helps investigators develop innovative mechanisms to engage and recruit specific populations for their research endeavors and ensures study materials, including data collection instruments, are appropriately aligned with the cultural, linguistic, and other community needs of a given target population. The BCSR also has extensive expertise in conducting focus groups, ethnographies, in-depth key informant interviews, and other qualitative research methods, and has experience in training Community Health Workers (CHWs) to participate in research. The BCSR employs community-based participatory research methodologies, working together with the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and a network of neighborhood-based community committees to facilitate outreach and partnership for research and to promote health and social change in South Florida. The BCSR is part of the research branch of the Cancer Center’s Jay Weiss Institute for Health Equity, and BCSR staff regularly collaborate with the Community Engagement Program at the UM Clinical and Translational Science Initiative (CTSI). The BCSR also works closely with the Sylvester Office of Outreach and Engagement (SOOE), which engages diverse stakeholders throughout South Florida in a dialogue about cancer prevention and collaborative research opportunities. The BCSR builds upon these established relationships to help investigators implement high-impact, innovative research reflective of the local cancer burden and/or the unique distribution of cancer risk factors.

The Division of Statistical Programming resides within the Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Statistical Genetics and works closely with the Divisions of Genetic Epidemiology and Division of Research Informatics. The Division of Statistical faculty members and programmers focus their research on statistical genetics analysis and methods development in human genetics studies.

The Division of Statistical Programming specializes in: Methods development for disease gene mapping, Expression and functional analysis methods, Population genetics methods as they relate to understanding genetic variation in human disease, and Large-scale statistical analysis methods.

The CGT gene expression core utilizes Affymetrix GeneChip Arrays and Illumina BeadChips to enable researchers to identify gene expression variation in single genes, targeted set of genes, or entire genomes. Our expertise across a variety of platforms allows us to execute experiments with consistency and accuracy.

We have three mass spectrometers at the UM Department of Chemistry, a VG-Trio2000 dedicated for FAB analysis, a Bruker BiflexIV MALDI-TOF, and an Agilent Technologies 5975C GC/MS with autosampler.

Researchers from inside the UM community and commercial interests outside the University are welcome to submit samples for mass spectroscopy in our facility. A standard fee schedule is set up competitively with that from other universities; please follow the link below for the schedule.

The CGT genotyping core features platforms spanning low to high throughput capacities that can be tailored to meet your study’s individual goals. We have extensive knowledge and experience on all Illumina, Affymetrix, Life Technologies Taqman and Open Array genotyping platforms. CGT processing is fully automated utilizing Tecan EVO and BioMek liquid handlers and autoloaders with efficient and reliable data tracking via the Genologics LIMS system. These strategic resources enable us to generate high-quality, low-cost data with rapid turnaround times.

Computational Science is widely recognized as a critical means to solving many of today’s most challenging problems. The analysis and knowledge gained from working with the incredible data explosion produced by massive experiments, observations and computer generated models is leading to solutions at an unimagined pace. Data-Intensive discovery (the fourth paradigm of scientific research), and Multi Scale Interdisciplinary approaches are becoming more prevalent in the way that Science and Engineering is generating knowledge.

The CGT biorepository offers a wide-range of services and currently houses more than a million samples collected over the last 30 years. Biorepository scientists process, archive, and retrieve biological samples as a valued resource for genomic research. Extensive experience in the use of the Nautilus LIMS and barcode printing through with Brady LabelSoft8 software allows for personalized and secure solutions for sample storage and retrieval. With a wide variety of sample processing options including automated DNA extraction with the Qiagen Autopure LS, plasma isolation, creation of blood cards, DNA extraction from many sources, DNA quantitation and qualitation, whole genome amplification using the Qiagen Repli-G kit sample archiving, and cell-line lymphoblast immortalization and primary fibroblast tissue culture we offer sample solutions to suit any project’s customized needs.

The Analytic Imaging Facility supports the care and use of instrumentation for scanning laser confocal microscopy and phosphorimaging. It also provides software, computers, and technical expertise for manipulation and analysis of photographic and digital images, and quantification of image features.

The Biostatistics Collaboration and Consulting Core's (BCCC) primary objective is to ensure that the appropriate use of statistical methodology is incorporated in research. This enhances the University’s scientific mission in ensuring appropriate planning for research, including the use of statistical methodology. BCCC personnel are available for collaboration at all stages of research, including but not limited to preparation of grants and contracts, study design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. Obtaining biostatistical collaboration as early as possible in development of a research project increases the quality of the research, and the likelihood of success in obtaining extramural funds, and meeting study objectives.

The BCCC offers short and long term collaborative support activities, grant development, and quick consulting to faculty, staff, and students, and operates as a cost center.

Confocal microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, MetaMorph, fluorescence microscopy, image analysis, PubSpectra

The Oncogenomics Core Facility provides researchers with access to the latest technology and chemistries used for the molecular analysis of DNA and RNA. This shared resource also provides investigators with the needed expertise for the detection, quantification, and characterization of genes and gene products.