Shimadzu Core Laboratory for Academic and Research Excellence

The Shimadzu Core Laboratory is a multidisciplinary science research center containing over 2000 square feet of presentation, research, and collaboration space housed in the College of Arts, Sciences and Education. The instruments installed in the lab are a combination of highly sensitive and accurate spectroscopic and spectrometric instruments used for characterizing and measuring compounds in a variety of sample types. The laboratory has a MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer which can be used to characterize proteins, polymers, and image tissues for different compounds. One of the instruments in the lab which will be in constant use is a gas chromatography mass spectrometer which can be used to identify and quantify compounds in samples ranging from contaminants in the local water system to compounds being bioengineered by the faculty in the College of Pharmacy.

The laboratory also has advanced liquid chromatography capabilities with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). This instrument has the capability to carry out experiments for a variety of faculty doing everything from pharmacokinetics to forensic analysis. Some other instruments in the lab include UV-vis spectrometers, FT-IR spectrometer and other preparatory chromatography systems.

Educational Space

This formal instructional space occupies approximately one third of the SCL laboratory. It is fully equipped with A/V equipment, a computer and tables and chairs. It is well-suited for class lectures on instrumentation techniques as well as community education projects.

Services Offered

• Sample Analysis
• Course Module Development and Implementation Planning
• Experimental Design Consultations

Laboratory Instruments

The Shimadzu Core Laboratory facility is supported by a $500,000 in-kind grant from Shimadzu, a Japanese maker of precision instruments, including high-sensitivity spectroscopic and spectrometric equipment. This facility provides faculty and students with access to state of the art instrumentation that rivals research-intensive institutions. Click here for more information on available lab instrumentation: Pictures and Descriptions of Laboratory Instruments

Lab Policies and Procedures

Core Lab User Policy and Procedure

This document is intended to provide users of the Shimadzu Core Lab (SCL) with detailed information about the use of this facility. As a campus-wide resource, the SCL provides specialized equipment and services not routinely available in individual laboratories. The lab has limited staffing available for provide training and technical assistance for the operation of equipment available in the lab. This document provides general expecations for core lab users, including the policies that govern the operation and use of the lab. Faculty, students, and staff who use the lab will be expected to read and observe the following operating procedures. Continued access to these resources will be contingent upon appropriate interaction with staff, and responsible use of all equipment as well as payment of charges incurred if applicable.

Recent Lab Publications

• McNair J, Lane M, Hart J, Porter A, Briggs S, Southwell B, Sivy T, Szlag D, Scull B, Pike S, Dreelin E, Verier C, Carter B, Sharp J, Nowlin P, Rediske R. Validity assessment of Michigan's proposed qPCR threshold value for rapid water-quality monitoring of E. Coli contamination. Water Research 2022; 226:119235. Validity assessment of Michigan's proposed qPCR threshold value for rapid water-quality monitoring of E. coli contamination
  
  
• Shultz C, Swanson MA, Dowling TC, Bachmann AS. Probenecid increases renal retention and antitumor activity of DFMO in neuroblastoma. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2021;8:607-617. Probenecid increases renal retention and antitumor activity of DFMO in neuroblastoma 
  
  
• VonSeggern M, Szarowicz C, Swanson M, Cavotta S, Pike S, Lamberts J. Purine molecules in Parkinson's disease: Analytical techniques and clinical implications. Neurochem Int 2020; 139: 104793. Purine molecules in Parkinson's disease: Analytical techniques and clinical implications
  
  
• Lane M, Rediske R, McNair J, Briggs S, Rhodes G, Dreelin E, Sivy T, Flood M, Szlag D, Southwell B, Isaacs N, Pike S. A comparison of E. Coli concentration estimates quantified by the EPA and Michigan laboratory network using EPA Draft Method C. J Microb Methods 2020; 170: 106086. A comparison of E. coli concentration estimates quantified by the EPA and a Michigan laboratory network using EPA Draft Method C
  
  
• Nybo SE, Saunders J, McCormick SP. Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for production of valerenadiene. J Biotechnology 2017;262:60-66. Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for production of valerenadiene
  
  
• Medina-Moreno S, Dowling TC, Zapata JC, Le NM, Sausville E, Bryant J, Redfield RR, Heredia A. Targeting of CDK9 with indirubin 3’-monoxime safely and durably reduces HIV viremia in chronically infected humanized mice. PLoS ONE 2017; 12(8):e0183425. Targeting of CDK9 with indirubin 3’-monoxime safely and durably reduces HIV viremia in chronically infected humanized mice

Contact

Dr. Schuyler (Sky) Pike
Director, Shimadzu Core Lab
[email protected]
Ferris State University
College of Arts, Sciences and Education
820 Campus Drive
ASC 0010
(231) 591-3670