University of Louisville Center for Predictive Medicine

Welcome to the Center for Predictive Medicine Shared Resources. Established in early 2011, the Shared Resources provides members of the University, external academicians and commercial clients with a wide spectrum of instrumentation, services, consulting and training in support of research with Risk Group (RG) 2 and 3 Agents. To facilitate research, our Shared Resources are divided into five core facilities within the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL). Each of the cores facilities are certified for use with CDC and/or USDA Select Agents. Find out more about each of these state-of-the-art faciltities below!

+BIO-Imaging+

The BIO-Imaging Core houses seven unique major imaging modalities in a BSL-3 environment in three state-of-the-art instruments: Siemens tri-modality scanner, Caliper Life IVIS Spectrum and Zeiss LSM 710/LIVE 5 confocal microscope. The tri-modal scanner and IVIS spectrum feature five imaging modalities: microPET (Positron Emission Tomography), microSPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography), microCT (Computed Tomography), bioluminescence, and fluorescence.

+Animal Models+

The Animal Models Core offers BSL-2, BSL-3 and select agent facilities for basic and translational research for small animal studies. Broadly, the scope of our capabilities include, but are not limited to: (1) determination of optimal route and dose for pathogen challenge, (2) determination of correlates of immunity, (3) standardization of animal models for use in “Proof-of-Concept” efficacy studies of candidate vaccines, therapeutics and immunotherapeutics and (5) toxicity and efficacy of candidate molecules or vaccines in small animal models of infectious disease.

+Microbiology+

The Microbiology Core offers services and support for assays for growth and detection of bacterial and viral pathogens using classical and modern techniques. Services include support for production of high quality, fully characterized viral seed stocks for use in high-throughput screens or animal studies. Our staff can provide support for diagnostic tool development with a wide array of platforms including bead-based technologies.

+HT Biology+

Our HT-Biology Core provides a complete pipeline of research services for researchers who require accurate and high volume experimental data for target and small molecule discovery. We offer expertise in assay development implementation and high volume screening with a proven track record in drug discovery. We also provide support and services for target discovery using the most recent siRNA libraries. HT sequencing and real-time -PCR are also available.

+Immunology+

Our Immunology Core offers expertise in characterization of immune responses in two key instruments: Luminex Flexmap 3D and the BD FACS Aria II. These instruments reside with in the BSL-3 environment to provide support for animal studies with infectious RG2 and RG3 agents.

+Consulting+

The Center for Predictive Medicine recognizes the challenges of translational research such as in designing and implementing high-throughput screens and assessing small molecules and potential vaccines for their efficacy in small animal models of disease. Our staff have the expertise and experience to provide your studies with strategies to move forward in these areas. We can also provide training in BSL-3 principles and help your program establish maintenance programs and research within this complex and often challenging environment.