Finding a Calling

Abstract

linical and translational researchers have access to new intellectual and technical resources and specialized instru-mentation and technologies in the Integrated Molecular Analysis facility (IMA). The IMA provides a centralized resource for tissue preparation, gene-expression analysis and protein quantification. Instrumentation and technologies available include laser capture microdissection, real-time PCR including Taqman Low Density Arrays, and quantitative proteomics analysis using a Meso Scale Imager. " This is impossible for many independent labs to set up on their own, " says Martin Johnson, Ph.D., director of the facility. " This is a central place to go and incorporate the analysis into your research without the need to spend a tremendous amount of time and expense trying to figure out how to do it and where to do it, likely while borrowing other people's equipment. " Researchers have the ability to prepare their tissues or samples for RNA, DNA or protein analysis, run genetic or protein tests in one comprehensive place and get all of the information they are seeking, " Johnson says. " We have a laser-capture microdissec-tion facility, a gene-expression facility and a protein-analysis facility, and they all use separate instrumentation. They all run different standards. " The IMA is capable of analyzing a variety of samples, including snap-frozen tissues, fine needle aspirates, archived paraffin-embedded tissues, in vitro cell lines and in vivo xenograft tissues. The IMA facility supports intra-and extramural research projects through access to selected advanced instruments and methodology performed by personnel with demonstrated expertise. Results often can be provided in just a few days. " Collectively, this facility will provide the intellectual and technical resources that can S tudents will have new creative avenues to explore this fall with the 2009 Discussion Book selection of Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder. This year's Campus Conversations, a compilation of student works, will be an online publication exploring issues central to Mountains Beyond Mountains. Faculty are invited to create course assignments that relate to public health, health disparities, social systems and disease, public policy, poverty, philanthropic outreach, Haiti, the Caribbean, sacrifice, one person making a difference and other relevant topics. Student work can take multiple forms, including but not limited to essays, artwork, videos, creative writing, journals, photographs and reports. Faculty can nominate and students can submit work this fall for inclusion in the spring …