Core Facilities

Center for Bioactive Delivery

The Center for Bioactive Delivery (CBD) at UMass Amherst is advancing the field to a predictive science-a fundamental break from its empirical, single application roots. Our teams are developing fundamental carrier design principles that integrate an understanding of the bioactives from the onset and applying them to various disease models. The long-term objective is to develop reliable, predictive models for optimized drug/carrier systems. This focus on synergies between the bioactive compound and its delivery needs to a suitable carrier solution creates a new paradigm for drug and nutrient delivery.

Drug and nutraceutical delivery is a multi-dimensional challenge that remains a critical and often unsolved issue in product development. At the heart of the center are organized multi-disciplinary teams focused on solutions to this complex landscape.

Animal Imaging facility

Animal Imaging

This facility conducts research using equipment capable of fluorescence and luminescence imaging independent of or concurrent with CT imaging.

Animal Models

Animal Models

Provides transgenic, gene targeting, and other services to the research community

Biophysical Characterization

Biophysical Characterization

Discovery-Based Research and Assay Development for Translational Applications

Bioproduction / Separation facility

Bioproduction / Separation

State-of-the-art facilities for fermentation and separation/purification of biomolecules.

Cell Culture

Cell Culture

Two cell culture facilities for both biological and bio-engineering approaches. Biosafety cabinets, incubators and general wet lab supplies.

Electron Microscopy

Electron Microscopy

Transmission (TEM) and Scanning (SEM) Electron Microscopes as well as related sample preparation equipment.

Flow Cytometry

Flow Cytometry

Enables researchers to image structures ranging from single molecules to whole model organisms and performs microscope-based high-throughput screens.

Illumina MiSeq Sequencing System

Genomics Resource

Provides solutions for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and advances instrumentation for DNA, RNA analysis. Facility is equipped with instruments including Illumina NextSeq 500 and MiSeq.

Light Microscopy

Light Microscopy

Nine different Nikon microscopes available that enable a full range of light microscopy methods and applications. Expert support offered for acquisition and analysis of data.

Mass Spectrometry

Mass Spectrometry

Expertise measuring molecular weights of small molecules, biological and synthetic macromolecules, qualitative and quantitative proteomics, protein dynamics.

Solid and Liquid State NMR

NMR

Elucidates structure, conformation, dynamics and interactions between the molecules

Nutriceutical Formulation facility

Nutriceutical Formulation

Isolates and concentrates bioactives, thermally treats them by ultrahigh pasteurization and agitating retort, produces emulsion systems by homogenization, and encapsulates by freeze or spray drying.