The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Facilities

All MMG Program members have spacious and modern laboratories, creating ideal conditions for cutting edge research. A complete spectrum of equipment and auxiliary services for research in microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, and protein biochemistry is available. Laboratories share common equipment rooms outfitted with microscopes, scintillation and gamma counters, ultracentrifuges, dark rooms, incubators, video gel documentation systems, and other vital equipment.

Libraries and Teaching Facilities

The Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library, located next door, houses a large collection of biomedical literature and provides online access to most leading journals. A staff of information experts is ready to support clinical, research, teaching, and learning activities. Additional excellent libraries are located throughout the Texas Medical Center. All classrooms throughout the Texas Medical Center are modern and equipped with the latest in audiovisual equipment. Computer access to online courses and other information supplements classroom lectures and discussions.

Computer Center

The center houses advanced computer technology, molecular biology software, and Internet access. In addition, all laboratories have modern computers and software for data collection, analysis, and storage. All computers have high-speed Internet connections for ready access to all public databases.

Shared Equipment

These facilities provide Program members ready access to state-of-the-art technologies. The Program’s Nucleic Acid Core Facility provides automated DNA sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, and PCR technologies (more info). This facility also houses a BIAcore system for surface plasmon resonance studies of protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions. Our Imaging Facility house the latest computer and imaging equipment for scanning, photography, and slide making. Additional core facilities in close proximity provide peptide synthesis, protein sequencing, and analytical instrumentation for mass spectrometry, NMR, and RT-PCR. Also readily available are modern facilities for animal care, hybridoma production, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and confocal and electron microscopy.