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Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology University of Tennessee Health Science Center
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The Department of Microbiology and Immunology has access to a number of first-rate facilities in other departments in addition to those in the Molecular Resource Center. The superb facilities of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence include a Structure Laboratory with three electron microscopes: a JOEL 1200B STEM analytical microscope, a JOEL 2000 and a transmission scope. The JOEL microscopes include a computer based digital image acquisition system for storage and analysis of EM Images. This facility also offers Balzer’s freeze fracture, slammer and ultramicrotomy equipment. The neuroscience imaging center has three facilities: a Macintosh-based system (with a 6 million pixel Kodak color digital camera) for light microscopy image analysis and computer-assisted morphometry; and a system for serial section reconstruction of 3D structures with real-time graphics display for rotation of images; and a laser scanning confocal microscope and image analysis system. All of these are connected to individual investigator’s laboratories through the university-wide computer network system. Also an AMRAY 1000 scanning electron microscope is available in the Department of Pathology. Stout Neuroscience Mass Spectrometry Laboratory The Department of Neurology offers the use of this sophisticated laboratory to any interested investigators. The facility contains state-of-the-art HPLC and mass spectrometers (MS) for structural analysis and quantification. MS techniques that are available include fast-atom bombardment and high-resolution computer-based MS techniques. A VG Fisons AutoSpec Q tandem mass spectrophotometer with direct introduction probe, LSIMS and continuous flow FAB probe is also available. This instrument is capable of using electrospray ionization to determine molecular mass of proteins and in the tandem MS/MS mode provides amino acid sequence-determining information of oligopeptides. Humphreys General Education Building One of many unique facilities, the GEB houses the Education Center. It includes lecture halls with the most advanced audio-visual equipment, teaching laboratories, and a learning center. Instructional Laboratories in this facility provide photography, medical illustration, audio-visual and video production, and video disc technology. They also offer assistance in developing specialized courses such as oral communication. Students may take advantage of the department’s workshops in scientific writing. The Learning Center provides special student services and includes study areas and a microcomputer laboratory equipped with fully networked computers for student use. Health Sciences Library / Biocommunications Center One of the newest additions to our campus, The Lamar Alexander Building is the focal point of a comprehensive information system to which every student has direct access. This modern facility contains over 1550 current periodical titles, 40,000 monograph titles and 170,000 volumes. The library’s collection is on-line and is supported by numerous databases. Knowledge Server MEDLINE consists of the unabridged bibliographic data from the National Library of Medicine’s MEDLINE database since 1984. Entrez Sequences is an internet-based retrieval system developed at the National Center for Biotechnology Information which provides an integrated approach for gaining access to nucleotide and protein sequence databases and to the MEDLINE citations in which the sequences were published. The Computing and Telecommunications Center is responsible for the coordination of resources concerned with supporting and serving all information related activities such as computing, telecommunications, information technology training and support. The center is equipped with a DEC-VAX duster comprised of a VAX 8650, a VAX 8000, two VAS 6420’s, and the latest DEC-Alpha computer. The Computing and Telecommunications Center develops and maintains the University’s Local Area Network (LAN) which connects over 2,000 computers and peripherals in over 50 buildings in and around the campus. Computer links outside the campus are maintained through DECNET, TC/IP/XNS and other proprietary protocols. Internet navigators utilize these links and connect laboratory researchers to enormous medical and research information sources through-out the world. Other Campus Facilities & Services A new consolidated animal facility was recently constructed. With a staff headed by three veterinarians, these professionals offer valuable assistance in research involving animal studies. The Division of Biomedical Instrumentation provides services to assure that the sophisticated scientific instruments and computer systems on campus function in top form. Finally, the vast resources of the medical center complex immeasurably enhance the opportunity for outstanding collaborative research and interaction with scientists at other area institutions. Serving as a medical referral center for a 76-county region of 2.5 million people, the medical center in Memphis includes a number of noted institutions: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Baptist Memorial Hospital, the largest privately owned hospital in the country; the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, one of the nation’s largest veterans’ hospitals; the University of Memphis; and LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center, the largest children’s medical center in the entire Southeast.
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