Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
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University of Nebraska Medical Center
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UNMC Cores and Shared Resources

UNMC cores and shared resources offer a wide range of services to meet your research goals.

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Cores and shared resources are also known as service centers and are organizational units providing goods or services to users for a calculated fee.

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Advanced Magnetic Resonance Core
The Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Core provides state-of-the-art research and MRI capabilities for investigators at UNMC and across the greater Omaha area. Housed in UNMC’s Hixson-Lied Center, the core operates a Siemens 3T Prisma MRI instrument that can collect high quality data of any MRI modality using advanced gradients and research-grade pulse sequences. A variety of head coils (20-, 32-, and 64-channel) are available to optimize data collection for the needs of specific studies. Studies incorporating functional MRI can take advantage of the core's suite of MRI-compatible response devices, mirrored 32-inch LCD screen, and integrated stimulus-display computer.
Advanced Microscopy Core Facility
The Advanced Microscopy Core Facility at UNMC provides access to a diverse array of biomedical imaging modalities capable of capturing complex biological phenomena occurring at single molecule (nanometer, super resolution), sub-cellular and cellular resolution (micron, confocal and whole slide scanning), and tissue/small organ levels (millimeter, light sheet). Instruction in the use of, and trained user access to imaging (super resolution, microscopic, mesoscopic) and analysis (HALO, IMARIS) instrumentation are available to internal and external researchers on a fee-for-use basis.
Animal Behavior Core
The UNMC Animal Behavior Core is a research facility designed to comprehensive testing and analysis laboratory, which provides investigators with the tools they need to assess comparative cognition and behavior in nonhuman animals. Our offerings include specialized equipment and software, as well as dedicated procedural space, for behavioral and cognitive assessments in mice and rats. Support in developing, conducting, and refining studies involving other species, both on campus and beyond, is available upon request.
Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Core
The goal of the Bioinformatics and System Biology Core facility at UNMC is to provide bioinformatics and systems biology data analysis and data interpretation support to all investigators in the UN system, external academic institutions and corporations in the rapidly expanding field of bioinformatics with the ultimate goal of promoting synergistic research activities at the intersection of computational and biomedical experimental disciplines.
Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility
The UNMC Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility provides a safe and secure resource for qualified researchers, to better understand Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility organisms and the associated infectious diseases for the improvement of health outcomes. There are five well-equipped working suites available to authorized Principal Investigators and their associated staff on a first-come, first-served basis. This facility has many valuable features to meet the needs of the researcher. In addition, online scheduling via the UNMC Research Support System is used to reserve working suites, facilitating the coordination of shared space and the monitoring of researcher usage and needs.
Clinical Research Center
The clinical research center provides exemplary research support fostering a world-class environment that improves outcomes. We're dedicated to advancing clinical research through comprehensive services and educational resources. Our team offers tailored support in study design, regulatory guidance, biostatistics, and data management to foster impactful research outcomes. Explore how our expertise can empower your research initiatives and contribute to improved patient care and health outcomes.
Electron Microscopy Core Facility
The Electron Microscopy Core Facility provides instrumentation and technical assistance to research programs utilizing transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy,
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Facility
The Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Facility is used to measure levels of free radicals (e.g., superoxide, hydroxyl radical) in various biological samples including cultured cells, culture media, blood, and tissue.
Eppley Structural Biology Facility
The overall purpose of the Structural Biology Facility is to provide access to state of the art structural biology instrumentation for the purpose of applying structural techniques to the analysis of important cancer-related biological macromolecules.
Flow Cytometry Research Facility
The Flow Cytometry Research Facility is a shared resources laboratory providing comprehensive research flow cytometry services, education and training to all investigators on the UNMC campus, as well as other regional academic and corporate clients. Given the complexity, high costs and specialized knowledge needed to operate flow cytometry instrumentation, the Flow Cytometry Research Facility is an essential research partner to UNMC investigators in the experimental design, sample preparation, acquisition, analysis and presentation of flow cytometry data.
Genomics Core
The UNMC Genomics Core Facility is a comprehensively equipped facility that provides genomic services on a fee-for-use basis to the greater academic research community. The core provides Next Generation DNA Sequencing services utilizing Illumina technology, single cell genomics assays by 10x Genomics and Nanostring technology targeted gene expression assays. The UNMC Genomics Core currently supports the research of over 140 independent laboratories annually. These researchers are involved in a wide variety of scientific projects of both biomedical and basic science relevance.
Image Guided Radiation Core
Small animal image guided radiation is a clinically relevant way to deliver precise X-radiation in mice or rats. The machine uses cone beam CT or real time portal imaging to precisely deliver radiation to key organs or regions without the need for complex shielding.
In Vivo Animal Imaging
This core is comprised of a sensitive CCD camera, a dark imaging chamber to minimize incident light, and specialized software to quantify and analyze results. The system features high-sensitivity in vivo imaging of fluorescence and bioluminescence, high throughput, high resolution, and 28 high efficiency filters. An optical switch in the fluorescence illumination path allows reflection-mode or transmission-mode illumination. The system uses 3D diffuse tomographic reconstruction for both fluorescence and bioluminescence and has the ability to import and automatically co-register CT or MRI images yielding a functional and anatomical context for your scientific data
Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility
The UNMC Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility offers end-to-end services to generate genetically engineered mouse models. Unlike most transgenic cores elsewhere, the Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility performs all steps of genetically engineered mouse model generation, including designing and genotyping and investigators’ labs do not have to do anything. The Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility also provides figures and writes methods section for grants/manuscripts as needed and provides continued consultation. The core stayed ahead of the CRISPR revolution that began in 2013, and it has published several CRISPR technologies.
Multiomics Mass Spectrometry Core Facility
The Multiomics Mass Spectrometry Core Facility provides access to basic and advanced mass spectrometry technologies for biomedical research to investigators at UNMC and partner institutions. Our mission is to catalyze state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research and provide education regarding the applications of mass spectrometry in biomedical research. We operate with a flexible model designed to provide investigators with access to mass spectrometry technologies and bioinformatics in the manner best suited to each individual project, and includes standard fee for service, advanced fee for service, collaborative agreements, and instrumentation partnerships.
Multiphoton Intravital & Tissue Imaging Core Facility
The Multiphoton Intravital & Tissue Imaging Facility is part of the Translational Imaging and Behavioral Assessment Core within the Cognitive Neuroscience of Development & Aging Center and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Preclinical Imaging Center. The facility is equipment to acquire advanced descriptive and quantitative data for various in-vivo/preclinical imaging studies. With one of the only dual line, near infrared excitation systems available in the Midwest, researchers use imaging to gently image live samples and/or visualize biological processes deep inside complex tissue.
Nanoimaging Core
The Nanoimaging Core facility is primarily based on atomic force microscopy. Atomic force microscopy is capable of imaging objects in air and in liquid at nanoscale resolution, probing local elasticity of materials, measuring intermolecular interactions with a few piconewtons resolution and nanomanipulation. Combinations of atomic force microscopy with optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy are available as well. The core facility provides instrumentation and technical assistance to research programs for University of Nebraska personnel, as well as outside institutions and industry.
Nanomaterials Characterization Core
The Nanomaterials Characterization Core Facility provides investigators with state-of-the-art equipment, expertise, and custom services for comprehensive study of polymers and nanomaterials. We welcome all investigators to utilize the Core facilities in their research projects.
Nebraska Biobank
The Nebraska Biobank offers researchers de-identified consented phlebotomy samples in which to test assays and other experiments. The biobank also offers sample management services, clinical trial specimen support, as well has having certified shippers on staff.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Core Facility
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a powerful tool for basic research that improves our knowledge at the molecular level. It also plays an important role in drug discovery, ranging from small molecule characterization and protein structure-based drug design to small molecule library screening, all based on established 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance experiments such as heteronuclear single-quantum coherence spectroscopy. At the end of 2007, the UNMC Eppley Institute Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility consists of three spectrometers (400-600 MHz).
Physiological Environment Research Facility
The Physiological Environment Research Facility works to limit artifactual environmental variables by the use of tightly-regulated atmospheric conditions for tissue and cell culture-based experiments.
Research, Education, Administration, and Development of Biomedical Informatics Core
The Research, Education, Administration, and Development of Biomedical Informatics (READi) Core is the health informatics operations core for UNMC. READi provides cutting-edge clinical informatics resources to support and advance clinical translational research, public health research, clinical care, and the development of an exceptional clinical informatics workforce. We fulfill patient and population health data requests to the research community at UNMC and across the University of Nebraska system, providing feasibility counts, recruitment lists, datasets, databases, and dashboards from a variety of data sources including the Nebraska Medicine and Children’s Nebraska electronic health records.
Research IT Office
The Research Information Technology Office offers information technology services for researchers including pre-proposal planning, analysis software and hardware, and the secure storage of research data throughout the life of a research project. We serve UNMC and collaborate with the research community to develop technology requirements proposals for grants and funding opportunities.
Seahorse Core
The Seahorse Core Facility operates in the Department of Neurological Sciences on the campus of UNMC. The facility provides expertise and training in use of the Agilent Seahorse Extracellular Flux Analyzer.
Small Animal MRI
The Small Animal MRI Core provides quantitative imaging capabilities using MRI for small animals. The core provides data acquisition, analysis, user training, custom software development and radiofrequency coil building. Services ranges from providing raw images to scientific collaborations, including the development of imaging and image analysis methods, as well the preparation of manuscripts and grant applications.