Neurobiology and behavior facilities

All our individual research laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art Biological Sciences Neuro facilities and instrumentation, and confocal microscopy image specialized instrumentation that allows investigation of neural development and function at several levels of analysis, including genetic, molecular, cellular, systems, and computational neuroscience. The diverse instrumentation reflects the breadth of interests of the faculty and includes: bright field, fluorescence and interference-contrast microscopes equipped for single-cell injection and image analysis systems for time-lapse quantification of cell behaviors; microneurosurgery facilities and electrophysiology instrumentation for studying the activity patterns and biophysical properties of neurons; environmental growth chambers and special acoustic and activity chambers for investigating neural cell function and network activity in behaving animals; and computer workstations for neural network modeling studies.

MU subsidizes 7 campus-wide core facilities: a DNA Core that provides DNA sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, genotyping, SNP detection and analysis and microarray services; a Cell and Immunobiology Core that provides custom monoclonal antibodies, flow cytometric analysis and tissue culture reagents; a Molecular Cytology Core with deconvolution confocal microscopy, digital light microscopy and image analysis, and assistance in immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization; an Electron Microscopy Core with SEM and TEM instrumentation and expertise; a Transgenic Animal Core that assists in germline modification in mice; a Structural Biology Core that provides technical expertise in protein purification and crystallization and instrumentation for NMR Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis; and a Proteomics Center that provides state-of-the-art technologies in protein and peptide analysis. MU is home to the nation's largest university-based research reactor, with applications including neutron scattering studies of macromolecules and membranes and the generation of special isotopes.