The Macromolecular Core Facility was established in 1987-88, with primary grant support from the National Science Foundation as well as College of Medicine funds. This facility subsequently received grant support from the NIH and the State of Pennsylvania via the Ben Franklin Partnership, and matching funds from the College of Medicine.

When using data or tools generated here in publications or grants, please cite "Anne Stanley of the Macromolecular Core Facility of the Section of Research Resources, Penn State College of Medicine".

Please also let us know about publications or grant applications that use the services of this facility.

The Macromolecular Core Facility provides the services described below:

Who does the work in the facility?:

Ms. Anne Stanley, Lab Manager & Senior Research Support Associate

Room C1732; Telephone (717) 531-6087 (astanley@psu.edu )

Services Provided

(All Prices Below are Subsidized prices for internal HMC & PSU users - external clients pay ~15% more)

• Protein sequencing
  An Applied Biosystems Procise 491 was acquired in May, 2001, and is used for protein/peptide sequence analysis. We can routinely obtain sequence from 5-20 pmol of non-blocked peptides/proteins (in solution or on blots, ideally on ~4 sq. mm of PVDF). Cost is $15/residue sequenced, with a 5-residue/$75 minimum charge

  Download the ABRF Tutorial on Electroblotting and Digestion for Protein Sequencing by Edman Degradation (PDF file)

   

• Peptide synthesis
  A Milligen 9050 Fmoc peptide synthesizer has been our workhorse for peptide synthesis, and we also acquired a second synthesizer (Perseptive 9050 Plus) through a generous donation from the du Pont Nemours Company in Wilmington, DE. A standard synthesis on either of these machines delivers between 50-80 mg of peptide, at a cost of $20 per residue (0.1 mmol scale), or $30 per residue (0.2 mmol scale). Custom syntheses are also possible (e.g., phosphopeptides, biotinylated peptides), with the additional cost being determined by the reagents used. Mass Spec of the synthesized peptide is available for an additional $15.

• Oligonucleotide synthesis
  A  microscale Polygen DNA-Synthesizer and two Milligen Expedite synthesizers (Models 8905 and 8909) are used to generate oligonucleotides. The cost is 33¢ per base, with no set-up charge, for a 0.05 micromole scale synthesis. Many users choose to have their oligonucleotides purified, which is done with Nensorb columns ($15 per purification). Custom syntheses such as modified bases and phosphorothioate chemistries are also available, as are larger-scale syntheses.

  Download Oligo Order Form (PDF file)

  Order Oligo Directly Online

• Image analysis and Gel Band Quantitation (Instrumentation purchased with Tobacco Settlement Funds) For quantitation of exposed film (radioactive or chemiluminescent detection), a BioRad GS800 Calibrated Densitometer is available to digitize film images. The densitometric image obtained can then be analyzed using Quantity One software to analyze 1D gels or slot/dot blot images, or PDQuest software to analyze two-dimensional gel images. The rate for Densitometry is $5/hr, and the instrument is available to trained users on a sign-up basis. For direct quantitation of radioactive bands in dried gels or blots, a BioRad Molecular Imager FX Pro Plus PhosphorImager is available, with a linear range of detected density of 5 orders of magnitude. The FX Pro Plus also has a 3-laser Fluorimager (488, 532, & 635 nm). After image acquisition, Quantity One 1D or PDQuest 2D analysis software can be used to perform calculations of band densities, background corrections, etc. The charge is $2 per scan, and the instrument is available on a sign-up basis to individual trained users.

  These instruments are available to individual users on a signup basis (after an initial training session which should be arranged with the facility manager, Anne Stanley). The accompanying analysis software can be used from any Windows or Macintosh computer in the building. Digital Image from PhosphorImager analysis of 35S-labeled protein gel.

The Macromolecular Core Facility is heavily used, and generates approximately 2000 oligonucleotides, 100 peptides, and 40 protein sequences per year. A wide range of faculty from the College of Medicine use this core lab, as do many outside contractors. The goal has been to offer fair market costs, with the charges for services used to offset chemical and maintenance costs. Funding from NIH, NSF, Tobacco Settlement Funds, and State of Pennsylvania grants have helped to provide instrumentation for important new research services.

The Macromolecular Core Facility is directed by Dr. Bruce A. Stanley (email: bstanley@psu/edu ).

The daily operations of the facility have been the responsibility of Ms. Anne Stanley, Lab Manager and Senior Research Support Associate, since 1988 (Telephone (717) 531-6087; email astanley@psu.edu ).

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Penn State University College of Medicine Core Reseach Facilities