Research Shared Resources
In support of its research and educational activities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has developed and centrally maintains a variety of shared resources to support its research and educational activities, including:
Animal Research Facility
The facility provides services and resources needed by investigators to accomplish their animal research objectives. This includes housing of mice and rats, purchasing of animals, training researchers regarding proper animal care and use, and, in conjunction with Dana-Farber's Environmental Health and Safety and Occupational Health Services, monitoring the safety of all personnel with laboratory animal contact. In addition, Dana-Farber has established an Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee the Institute's animal program, facilities, and projects involving the use of animals. The IACUC serves as the approval body for all protocols involving animal research at Dana-Farber, and assists faculty, students and staff in upholding Dana-Farber's commitment to providing the finest care and most humane utilization of laboratory animals.
Location: Smith 11 & 12 and Mayer Building
Contact E-mail: barbara_smith1@dfci.harvard.edu
Baruj Benacerraf Library
The Benacerraf Research Library offers a variety of journals, books and online resources of interest to Dana-Farber's research faculty, trainees, and staff. The research librarian is available to provide education and training on research techniques and assistance in obtaining resources from a network of libraries in which the Institute participates. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Location: Smith 314
Contact E-mail: DFCI Benacerraf Library
Biohazard Containment Suite
The Biohazard Containment Suite supports researchers in their work with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other biohazards. The core facility provides protective apparel, equipment and other materials required for Biosafety Level 3 (BL3) containment. Use of the facility is limited to researchers who receive training in BL3 procedures and comply with authorized user requirements. The suite has 2,825 sq. ft. of BL3 research space protected by entry and exit airlocks, with a dedicated ventilation system that maintains a negative pressure differential. The area is divided into 12 workrooms, each containing a Biosafety cabinet, incubator, tabletop refrigerated centrifuge, microcentrifuge, and refrigerator. There are two cold rooms and a dark room for fluorescence microscopy.
Location: Jimmy Fund 7 (JFB715-725)
Contact E-mail: eadaoinn_mulligan@dfci.harvard.edu
Cell Manipulation Core
The Cell Manipulation Core Facility assists members in developing new cell-based therapies for cancer, and supports clinical research studies designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these novel treatments. All cell manufacturing procedures are performed in environmentally controlled conditions according to current Good Manufacturing Practices for cell and tissue processing. Services include the processing of hematopoietic stem cells for autologous or allogeneic transplantation, generation of tumor vaccines using genetic or culture mediated modification of tumor cells, and preparation of immune cell populations for adoptive cellular therapy.
Location: Dana 530
Contact E-mail: grace_kao@dfci.harvard.edu
Clinical Research Laboratory
The Clinical Research Laboratory (CRL) utilizes protocol-driven standard operating procedures for the processing of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic, and biomarker samples. This includes handling the processing, storage and tracking of all research specimens to ensure the successful completion of clinical trials associated with patient treatment. The CRL is dedicated to the highest standards of specimen handling to maintain the integrity of data procurement and analysis for clinical trials.
Location: Dana L177
Contact E-mail: sujata_shah@dfci.harvard.edu
Confocal and Light Microscopy
The Confocal and Light Microscopy Core provides state-of-the-art imaging microscopy technology for fixed and live cells and tissues along with scientific and technical expertise to assist in experimental design and optimal image collection. Imaging techniques available through the core are standard fluorescence, live-cell long term imaging, confocal, TIRF, FRET, and spectral imaging. Available equipment includes a spinning disk confocal microscope, a Leica SP5 laser scanning confocal with a white light laser, and an inverted widefield fluorescence microscope. Training on all equipment, consultation about various imaging techniques, and assistance with image analysis is also available. Core staff are also able to assist with troubleshooting microscope issues in individual research labs.
Location: Jimmy Fund Building, Room 220B
Contact E-mail: lisa_cameron@dfci.harvard.edu
Confocal and Light Microscopy Web site
Data Technologies
The Data Technologies Core provides efficient, high-quality data collection, and management services and consultation. The core provides expertise and technical support in the areas of development and implementation of data collection protocols from study participants, quality control of data collection processes, and data management. Capabilities include the development and implementation of survey research projects, the development of complex databases, project evaluation, cognitive interviewing, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and other similar processes.
Location: 375 Longwood, sixth floor
Contact E-mail: carol_lowenstein@dfci.harvard.edu
Flow Cytometry Core Lab
The Flow Cytometry Core Facility provides sterile sorting and analysis of samples. The core houses three high-speed cell sorters with up to 9-color simultaneous detection utilizing multi-laser platforms. Sample populations can be sterile sorted into a variety of tubes or plates. Single cells can also be sterile sorted into individual wells for culturing. Additionally, the cell sorters can sort up to four populations simultaneously. For sample analysis the lab houses six tabletop analyzers ranging from very simple 3-color detection systems to a high-end instrument with up to 12-color detection utilizing three lasers. It also has a 96-well plate loader for analyzing samples directly from plates. Core staff assist researchers with their sorting and analysis needs, including data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation, and experiment design, implementation, and troubleshooting. Training classes are offered for researchers who want to independently run a core flow cytometer. For more information, please visit our Web site at flowlab.dfci.harvard.edu.
Location: Jimmy Fund 415
Contact E-mail: Peter_Schow@dfci.harvard.edu
Health Communication
The Health Communication Core provides evidence-based communication expertise in the areas of intervention research, recruitment, and retention of patients for research studies, and cancer prevention, control, and treatment. Services include focus group development, graphic design, writing, editing, web site development and design, consultation on materials, marketing plans, project naming, tailoring of materials, and facilitation of cancer prevention seminars and workshops. The core also offers state-of-the-art technology — such as software, printers, and a digital press.
Location: LW, 7th Floor
Contact E-mail: vish_viswanath@dfci.harvard.edu
Medical Arts
The Medical Arts Facility Core offers computer and custom graphics and photography services, including single prints, lamination, full posters and titles, brochures, flyers, plasma ads, and special events photography. The core also offers Adobe Photoshop training.
Location: OS374
Contact E-mail: Minou_Modabber@dfci.harvard.edu
Microarray Core Facility
The Microarray Core provides services for genome-wide analysis of gene expression, nucleotide variation, copy number variation, and chromatin protein binding sites. The core platforms include microarrays and "next generation" sequencing. Consultation on experimental design and assistance with data analysis is also available.
Location: BA464
Contact E-mail: edward_fox@dfci.harvard.edu
Microarray Core Facility Web site
Molecular Biology Core Facilities
The Molecular Biology Core Facilities offer a full suite of molecular biology services, including automated DNA sequencing, genotyping, peptide synthesis, protein sequencing, amino acid analysis, BIA core protein ligand assays, and mass spectrometry. DNA sequencing and genotyping services include synthesis and tracking of oligonucleotides, contig building, and publication to appropriate databases. Various mass spectrometry services are also available, including LTQ Orbitrap and 4800 TOF/TOF.
Location: 21-27 Burlington Ave, 4th floor
Contact E-mail: Paul_Morrison@dfci.harvard.edu
Molecular Biology Core Facilities Web site
Molecular Diagnostics
The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory provides microRNA expression profiling, human cell line identity verification, mutation detection for clinical research studies, and specimen processing for clinical research studies. Consultation on experimental design and assistance with data analysis is also available.
Location: 21-27 Burlington Ave, 4th floor
Contact E-mail: edward_fox@dfci.harvard.edu
Molecular Diagnostics Web site
Monoclonal Antibody Core
The Monoclonal Antibody Core produces novel monoclonal antibodies for use in basic research, drug discovery, and clinical applications including diagnosis, surrogate markers for disease status, response to therapy, and drug toxicity. Services include cloning and scale-up of immunization antigens to purification of the resulting antibodies. Researchers can choose to have all phases of antibody production conducted by the core or perform particular steps in their own lab.
Location: 21-27 Burlington Ave., 4th floor
Contact Core Director: James_DeCaprio@dfci.harvard.edu
DF/HCC Monoclonal Antibody Web site
RNA Interference (RNAi) Screening Facility
The RNAi Screening Facility provides investigators with access to RNAi reagents and high-throughput screening technology. Lentiviral-based RNAi constructs against the human and mouse genomes are provided by the RNAi Consortium of the Broad Institute, and can be used to transduce a wide range of target cells, including primary and non-dividing cells. The Facility provides reagents, equipment, and technical expertise to design, optimize, and perform cell-based, arrayed lentiviral RNAi screens. Additionally, lentiviral RNAi constructs against individual genes can be requested.
Location: Smith 8
Contact E-mail: soyoung_kim@dfci.harvard.edu
Transgenic Targeting
The Transgenic Targeting Core offers state-of-the-art instrumentation and staff with scientific and technical expertise in the area of transgenic and gene targeted mouse models. The core assists first time and experienced investigators in the production and characterization of engineered mouse strains. The core provides the essential services, equipment, and reagents, as well as scientific and technical expertise to generate such models. Training is available on both the technical and conceptual levels.
Location: Mayer 484 and Smith 1225
Contact E-mail: james_horner@dfci.harvard.edu
Tumor Imaging Metrics
The Tumor Imaging Metrics Core provides standardized, consistent, longitudinal radiological measurements to evaluate therapeutic response for DF/HCC clinical trials. Services include accurate, consistent, and timely analysis of CT, MR, and PET/CT imaging studies. Measurements available include linear (RECIST, WHO, Cheson), volumetric measures for CT or MR scans, and Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) for PET scans. Results of analyses are offered on a password-protected secure web-based report. This core also provides an independent service with verifiable measurement of treatment response for patients enrolled in trials, and serves as a centralized, computerized resource to facilitate efficient internal or external auditing.
Location: MGH, BWH, Dana Lobby 101
Contact E-mail: Gordon Harris, annick_abbeele@dfci.harvard.edu
