Research Facilities in Biological Sciences
Science III - Biological Sciences
Most faculty members of Biological Sciences, the department office, and biology teaching laboratories are housed in the Science 3 Building. Animal care facilities and research and display greenhouses are attached to the building. The Science Library is in close proximity.
Biotechnology Building & ITC
Biology faculty who form the biofilm group and are core members of the Binghamton Biofilm Research Center (BBRC) are housed in the Biotechnology Building, which is a part of the Innovative Technology Complex (ITC). Also present in the ITC is the Analytical and Diagnostics Laboratory, which provides many additional research resources for the entire campus.
Molecular Core Facility
This facility contains instrumentation for common use, including super-speed and ultra-centrifuges, UV/Vis spectrophotometers, spectrofluorometer, real-time PCR machine, luminometer, ultrasonic cell disruptor (sonicator), Speed-Vac drier, thermocyclers, lyophilizer, e-pure water purification system, digital imaging system, and autoclaves. Connected to the core is a darkroom complex for photographic developing and autoradiography.
Confocal Microscope
The Zeiss LSM 510 META Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope is set upon an Axiovert 200 inverted microscope. The system has four lasers (405 nm Violet laser diode, an Argon laser, a Helium-Neon 543 nm laser and a Helium-Neon 633 nm laser) with two conventional detectors, a transmitted light detector, and the META detector capable of detecting eight separate emission wavelengths.
Flow Cytometer
FACS Calibur Flow Cytometer. This BD Biosciences instrument is for use in teaching and research. This cytometer has two excitation lasers (488 nm and 633 nm) and four fluorescent color emission detectors and uses a Macintosh computer for analysis. The cytometer also has cell sorting capability and has the FACSLoader for automatic analysis of up to forty samples.
Analytical and Diagnostics Laboratory
Mass Spectrometer Facility(ADL) Instrumentation of interest to biologists includes Leica SP5 and Zeiss multi-photon confocal microscopes, a FACS Aria III cell sorter, an Ion Torrent Next-Generation Sequencer, and an Applied Biosystems QStar XL mass spectrometer. The QStar, with associated HPLC, ion spray, APCI and nanospray units allow for characterization of peptides and small molecules for proteomics and metabolomics work.
Laboratory Animal Resources
Under the direction of a full time veterinarian, the LAR facility in the Science 5 Building provides for the care and well-being of animals used for research, training and education. It operates in compliance with all standards mandated by federal and state law, accrediting bodies and the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee.
The Research Greenhouse
The Research Greenhouse completed in 1996, this 4,250 sq. ft facility has seven separate growing areas that allow for plant-related research in environments where temperature, humidity level, and light intensity are computer controlled. Staff maintain the facility and are available to assist faculty and graduate students.
The E.W. Heier Teaching Greenhouse
E.W. Heier Teaching Greenhouse This 12,500 sq. ft. facility is designed to function as a living laboratory for the department's plant and ecology related courses. More than 6,000 exotic plants, representing over 1,200 distinct species, are maintained within its four simulated climates. This arrangement facilitates understanding of diverse plant species and their ecologies. All plants are labeled with information regarding their taxonomies, geographic origins, and common names. Learn More.
Ecological Research Facility
This 0.5 acre secure fenced area is dedicated to experimental outdoor research. Electricity, water, and lab bench space are available in the building. The site contains a field, woods, and a 1000 square foot hoop house. Faculty and graduate students from several departments have used the site for a wide variety of research projects and environmental monitoring.
Nature Preserve
The University has set aside 200 acres of mixed forest, stream, pond and wetland habitat as a Nature Preserve. This on-campus area contains a wide variety of local plants and animals and is available for the university community. It contains a hemlock forest and oak woodlands, many species of invertebrates, a diverse population of amphibians and reptiles, many mammals including deer, beaver, fox, mink, muskrat, porcupines and small rodents. Over 200 species of birds have been sighted in the Preserve. The proximity and variety of habitats and organisms makes the Preserve a particularly valuable resource for our field-oriented graduate students and faculty. Learn More.
Nuthatch Hollow Preserve
This area of about 80 acres of woodland, stream, and shrubland is almost contiguous with the University on its southwest side. It is used by some courses for field trips, but its limited public access makes it especially valuable as a study site for students and faculty doing field research. Learn More.
Molecular Anthropology Lab
Used for molecular evolutionary and population genetics studies of human, plant and animal species. Features 2clean rooms for PCR setup, pre-PCR Extraction labPost-PCR sequencing lab with an ABI 377XL Automated sequencer and a Varian dHPLC system, and a 4deg C cold-room lab for storage and 4C experiments.
Ancient DNA & Forensic Lab
State of the art facility for extracting and amplifying ancient DNA. Facility is serially positive pressured with magnetic interlocks on the doors to prevent room to room airflow. All rooms are HEPA filtered with UV-lights to destroy DNA prior to extractions.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Core Facility
This Core Facility fosters the use of geographical information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS) technologies for the development and execution of basic and applied research. The staff provide training through a variety of short-courses and one-on-one interactions.The facility will train users in GIS and GPS data acquisition methods, assist them in research and design, and evaluate existing data sets provided by users.
