About the Lab

The USC School of Pharmacy Translational Research Laboratory, located on the Jane and Gale Bensussen Research Floor (5th floor) of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, is designed to promote translational therapeutic discovery. This school-wide core laboratory is composed of two major units. The Bioinformatics/Computational Chemistry Unit is equipped with graphic workstations and modeling programs that provide for computer-based virtual screening and rational drug design applications. The Therapeutic Screening Unit houses a number of state-of-the-art specialized instruments that enable a broad range of automated and multiplexed biological analyses in a throughput manner.

The primary mission of the Translational Research Laboratory is to provide USC researchers with full and timely access to lab resources and technical guidance. Moreover, the lab is available as a platform to promote translational research and provide a learning environment for new technologies and applications.

Resources

The Translational Research Laboratory houses the following instruments and accessories:

Seahorse XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer

Components/Accessories:

• Main Unit
• Barnstead CO2-Free Incubator Model-120

Capacity: Allows for simultaneous measurement of two major energy-yielding pathways – anaerobic glycolysis and aerobic respiration in cell cultures or isolated mitochondria in a 24-well plate format.

ABI 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System

Components/Accessories:

• Main Unit
• Fast 96-Well Sample Block
• Taqman Low-Density Array (Microfluidic Card) Sample Block
• Microfluidic Card Sealer
• Thermo Scientific Sorvall Legend T+ Centrifuge; 4-Piece Swinging Bucket Rotor; Sorvall/Heraeus Custom Buckets and Adaptors

Capacity: Allows for fast and throughput gene expression profiling in a 96- or 384-well plate format. The Microfluidic Card Upgrade enables Taqman Low-Density Array (TLDA) analysis of 1 to 8 samples against 12 to 384 genes in a single run with a single addition of each sample.

BioRad Bio-Plex Suspension Array System

Components/Accessories:

• Bio-Plex 200 System
• Bio-Plex High-Throughput Fluidics (HTF)
• Bio-Plex Pro II Wash Station (Magnetic Plate Carrier, Vacuum Manifold Plate Carrier, Waste Bottle, 2 Buffer Bottles)
• Millipore MultiScreen HTS Vacuum Manifold and Pressure Pump

Capacity: Powered by the Luminex xMAP technology, allows for both magnetic and polystyrene bead-based multiplex analysis of up to 100 biomolecules (proteins, peptides or nucleic acids) in a single sample.

BD Pathway 435 High-Content Bioimager

Components/Accessories:

• Main Unit
• Nikon Intensilight C-HGFI Unit
• Neurite Outgrowth Module

Capacity: Allows for automated capture of microscopic images from a 96-well plate and automated image and data analysis. An additional module allows for multi-parameter analysis of neurite outgrowth in a high-throughput manner.

Wyatt DynaPro Plate Reader

Capacity: Allows for measurement of the hydrodynamic radius of particles, polymers, or proteins in solution in the size range of 2-1000 nm in diameter.

HORIBA Jobin Yvon Fluorolog-3 Spectrofluorometer

Components/Accessories:

• Main Unit (Light Source, Excitation Monochromator, Sample-Compartment Module, Emission Monochromator, Detector)
• Controller (SpectrAcq)
• Temperature Controller

Capacity: Allows for both steady-state and time-resolved characterization of fluorescent samples.

Bio-Rad Experion Automated Electrophoresis System

Components/Accessories:

• Automated Electrophoresis Station
• Priming Station
• Vortex Station

Capacity: Allows for microfludic chips-based eletrophoresis analysis of DNA, RNA and protein size, quantity and quality.

Bio-Rad Gene Pulser MXcell Electroporation System

Components/Accessories:

• Power Module
• Plate Chamber

Capacity: Allows for microplate-based electroporation of mammalian cells - especially useful for primary and hard-to-transfect cell types.

Bio-Rad Gene Pulser Xcell Electroporation System

Components/Accessories:

• Main Unit
• CE Module
• PC Module
• ShockPod Cuvette Chamber

Capacity: Allows for cuvette-based electroporation of both mammalian and bacteria and fungal cell types.

MD SpectraMax Gemini EM Microplate Spectrofluorometer

Capacity:Allows for a variety of fluorescence-based applications. Main features include top and bottom reading optics for both solution and cell-based assays, dual monochromators enabling selection of any wavelength in 1 nm increments, wavelength scanning, well scanning and auto PMT gain.

MD Lmax Microplate Luminometer with Injectors

Capacity:Allows for a variety of luminescence-based applications. Additional injectors allow for dynamic assays.

Tecan GENios Pro Multifunction Microplate Reader with Injectors

Capacity: Allows for a variety of multidetection including fluorescence intensity, fluorescence polarization, luminescence and absorbance-based applications. Additional injectors allow for dynamic assays.

SGI Octane Graphical Workstation

Capacity: Equipped with the IRIX 6.5 Operating System and a suite of computational modeling programs, allows for in silico virtual screening and structure-based rational drug design applications.

Chargebacks

Although the lab is heavily subsidized by the School of Pharmacy, chargebacks are needed to recover part of the costs for service contracts and regular maintenance of the instruments. In addition to the fees listed below for individual instruments, special rates are available to investigators needing access to multiple lab resources. Scientific advice and free access to specific instruments are provided to first-time users.

Please note that access to lab resources is contingent upon users’ acceptance of lab operational procedures described under Lab Policies and agreement to pay charges incurred. Please note that the fees listed below are in effect from 10/1/2009 through 9/30/2010.

Instruments	Charge/Hour		Charge/Year with Unlimited Access
	School of Pharmacy	Other USC Users	School of Pharmacy	Other USC Users
Seahorse XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer(L)	$20	$24	$2,000	$2,400
ABI 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System (L)	$15	$18	$1,500	$1,800
BioRad Bio-Plex Suspension Array System (L)	$15	$18	$1,500	$1,800
BD Pathway 435 High-Content Bioimager (L)	$10	$12	$1,000	$1,200
Wyatt DynaPro Plate Reader	$7.5	$9	$750	$900
Horiba Jobin Yvon Fluorolog-3 Spectrofluorometer	$5	$6	$500	$600
Bio-Rad Experion Automated Electrophoresis System (S)	N/A		$200	$240
Bio-Rad Gene Pulser MXcell Electroporation System (S)	N/A		$200	$240
Bio-Rad Gene Pulser Xcell Electroporation System (S)	N/A		$200	$240
MD SpectraMax Gemini EM Microplate Spectrofluorometer (S)	N/A		$200	$240
MD Lmax Microplate Luminometer (S)	N/A		$200	$240
Tecan GENios Pro Multidetection Microplate Reader (S)	N/A		$200	$240
SGI Octane Graphical Workstation	Discuss with lab manager

Special Rates:

1. Instruments marked with (L) including Seahorse Analyzer, PCR System, Bio-Plex System and BD Imager, are considered as core or large items on this chargeback structure.
2. Instruments marked with (S) including Experion System, MXcell and Xcell Systems, MD Fluorometer, MD Luminometer and Tecan Multidetection Reader, are considered as general or small items on this chargeback structure.
3. Two yearly rates are available for instruments marked with (S):
   • Individual Rate: $200 for access to one instrument
   • Bulk Rate: $750 for access to all 6 instruments
   • No hourly rate for these instruments
4. Purchase of any 2 yearly contracts for instruments marked with (L) will be given free access to all 6 instruments marked with (S).

Scheduling

Users are required to utilize the online scheduler (http://www.uburst.com/cgi-bin/ureserve/hosted/usc.pl). Reservations, including changes or cancellations, need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. In general, no walk-ins are allowed, however, occasional exceptions may be granted by the lab manager.

The scheduler tracks the use of the instruments and provides the basis for determining charges. With this in mind, users are encouraged to make time estimates as reasonable and accurate as possible when scheduling. They should make sure there is sufficient time to complete the planned experiment without encroaching on the time slots of other users. A no-show without cancellation will be charged for the scheduled time slot. New users or users who need technical assistance should indicate so on the reservation form and contact the student tech-in-charge (listed on the reservation page) or the lab manager to make an arrangement for assistance.

Lab Policies

To maintain the lab in a clean and organized working order, in addition to the general laboratory rules set by USC, users are asked to observe the following procedures that govern the operation of the lab and use of lab resources.

1. Until a security system is put in place, the lab hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Access to the lab outside of the operational hours is discouraged, however, in the case of special circumstances, requests for after-hours access can be submitted to the lab manager. Use of the lab is limited to those instruments for which a reservation has been made.
2. Use of the instruments must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance using the online scheduler; walk-ins are discouraged although occasional exceptions can be granted by the lab manager.
3. It is the user’s responsibility to use the instruments in a responsible manner. Users need to contact the student tech-in-charge or the lab manager if technical assistance is needed. Damage from misuse will result in charges for repair costs.
4. The lab is dedicated to assisting users with use of the instruments. Instruction manuals and quick guides are kept in the drawer next to the individual instruments. Users are not allowed to take any manuals or guides from the lab. In addition, for users’ convenience, electronic versions of the manuals and guides are available on the computers adjacent to the instruments in a folder on the desktop.
5. Users are prohibited from moving equipment within the lab or removing equipment from the lab.
6. Users are encouraged to prepare assays in their own labs. However, the lab does have a designated workspace for investigators who have limited lab space and for applications that require preparations immediately before using the instruments. Users are asked to 1) use the workspace for any assay preparations; 2) keep the ice buckets or any other containers within the workspace; placement near or on the instruments is absolutely prohibited; 3) make sure assay plates are removed from the instruments when experiments are finished; and 4) clean the bench area before leaving.
7. When transferring data from lab computers, users should make sure their transfer devices do not have viruses.
8. Laboratory staff must follow the same lab operational procedures and the chargeback policy that apply to all users.
9. Student techs-in-charge are appointed yearly. An email will be sent to students from both departments in the School of Pharmacy a month before the end of the current year. Interested students are encouraged to submit applications to the lab manager.
10. Dr. Zhao (liqinz@usc.edu) supervises/manages the lab and student techs-in-charge, administrates the online scheduler, and coordinates chargebacks.

Publications

To promote use of lab resources and provide users with references to protocols and applications associated with specific instruments, users are encouraged to submit to the lab manager their publications that contain data generated by lab resources. The citations with a link to Pubmed will be posted in this section.

Seahorse XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer

Yao J, Irwin RW, Zhao L, Nilsen J, Hamilton RT, Brinton RD. Mitochondrial bioenergetic deficit precedes Alzheimer’s pathology in female mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease . PNAS 106(34): 14670-5, 2009

Workshops

On a regular basis, the lab sponsors and organizes hands-on training sessions and workshops.

Future workshops:

Eli Lilly Phenotypic Drug Discovery (PD2) Initiative – http://stevens.usc.edu/pd2.php
Full details of the program are found at https://pd2.lilly.com/
Richard A. Hull, PhD
Senior Director, HSC
USC Stevens Institute for Innovation
Date: TBD

Luminex xMAP Technology and Multiplex Protein Profiling
Field scientist, Bio-Rad
Date: TBD

qPCR and Taqman Low-Density Array High-Throughput Gene Expression Profiling Field Scientist, Applied Biosystems
Date: TBD

Related Links

USC Norris Medical Library Bioinformatics Resources:
http://www.usc.edu/hsc/nml/lib-services/bioinformatics/

USC Stevens Institute for Innovation:
http://stevens.usc.edu/index.php

NIH Roadmap for Medical Research – Clinical & Translational Science Awards (CTSAs): Translating Discoveries to Medical Practice:
http://www.ctsaweb.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showHome

Contact Us

Lab location:
PSC 510
USC Health Sciences Campus
1985 Zonal Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Liqin Zhao, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Manager, Translational Research Laboratory
USC School of Pharmacy, PSC 508
(323) 442-1495
liqinz@usc.edu

For technical training and assistance with applications, please contact the student techs-in-charge:

For Seahorse XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer:
Jia Yao, Ph.D. Candidate
Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
USC School of Pharmacy, PSC 532
(323) 442-3584
jiayao@usc.edu

For Bio-Rad Bio-Plex Suspension Array System:
Brian Kim, Pharm.D. Candidate
Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics & Policy
USC School of Pharmacy, PSC 208
(818) 823-3809
kimbrian@usc.edu

For BD Pathway 435 High-Content Bioimager:
Helen Ha, Ph.D. Candidate
Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
USC School of Pharmacy, PSC 304
(323) 442-2327
helenha@usc.edu