Research facilities

The School has major high-technology facilities for research in, amongst others areas, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, structural biology and optical imaging.

Facilities within the School of Biosciences include: 

Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility - School of Biosciences

Description
The Advanced Mass Spectrometry facility boasts a Triple Quadrupole mass spectrometer as well as a high resolution FT-ICR, the highest performance mass spectrometry technique available.These techniques offer unrivalled resolution and mass accuracy. The FT-ICR facility here also offers unique techniques for ion manipulation and fragmentation thus providing structural information.The facility can undertake a range of analytical services including analysis of: Complex mixtures, Elemental composition, Molecular weight, Standard mass, Species identification, De novo sequencing of peptides, Protein interactions, Secondary structure, Post transcriptional modification

Birmingham Advanced Light Microscopy facility (BALM) - School of Biosciences

Description
The Birmingham Advanced Light Microscopy (BALM) facility is located in the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham. Our facility provides cutting edge microscopy resources to members of the univesity community and beyond. Our microscopes are routinely used for high resolution live-cell imaging, as well as analysis of organisms ranging from Drosophila to zebrafish. In addition to training and technical assistance we also provide data analysis capabilities through our dedicated workstations.

Birmingham Biophysical Characterisation Facility (BBCF) - School of Biosciences

Description
The Birmingham Biomolecular Characterisation Facility (BBCF) is based at the University of Birmingham School of Biosciences and boasts many of the biophysical tools essential for complete biomolecular characterisation. These tools provide information on:Conformation: Circular Dichroism (CD), Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Crystallography Size: Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC) Aggregation and Association: (AUC/DLS) Protein folding and stability: (FTIR/CD/AUC)

Birmingham Drug Discovery Facility - School of Biosciences

Description
The Birmingham Drug Discovery Facility contains a number of cutting-edge technologies required to enable Birmingham scientists to conduct translational science.

Functional Genomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility - School of Biosciences - University of Birmingham

Description
The Functional Genomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility was first established in 2000 by Mr Antony Jones. It expanded rapidly and keeps up to date with new techniques and equipment, supplying top end research potential to it's customers. The facility is involved in numerous research efforts in Biosciences, working within areas such as cancer research, cell signalling, microbial gene expression and modulation of plant growth and parasitic resistance. The facility prides itself on it's ability to provide high throughput, accurate services to the University, external institutions and commercial companies at competitive prices.

Horticultural services - School of Biosciences

Description
Located within the School of Biosciences are six containment glasshouses and two large walk in growth rooms, with lighting, heating, air conditioning, shade screens and watering all individually controlled and fully automated including a growth room with integral humidification. Further facilities include growth cabinets, separate glasshouse unit, plant preparation area and nearby autoclave.

Macromolecular X-Ray Diffraction Facility - School of Biosciences

Description
The School of Biosciences features a new, state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction facility for proteins. The facility includes a new-generation microfocus rotating anode generator and a CCD chip-based area detector for rapid data acquisition. Protein crystallisation, largely a trial-and-error process, is often hampered by the scarcity of pure protein.  With the aid of a liquid handling robot, capable of dispensing nano-litre volumes, the number of potential growth conditions can be vastly extended, enhancing the chance of success and rendering possible the crystallisation of difficult proteins or protein complexes.

Centre for Systems Biology

Houses a dedicated 128 processor computer cluster, office space and meeting facilities. Staff from the School of Biosciences as well as other Schools (Medicine, Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering) are seconded to the Centre for varying periods of time.

Centre for Ornithology

Supports several dedicated facilities including (a) indoor aviaries and purpose built computer controlled monitoring equipment for behavioural studies (b) outdoor aviary and purpose built diving flume.

The Henry Wellcome Building for Biomolecular NMR

Administered by the Medical School which houses a range of instruments (900MHz, 800MHz, 2x 600MHz, 2x 500MHz).

Centre for Electron Microscopy

With 3 transmission and 5 scanning microscopes

Chaddesley Woods nature reserve

Where 300 nest boxes have been sited