Department of Biochemistry

Resources & Facilities

Our shared facilities and resources provide researchers with sophisticated equipment and methodologies that help expand their work.

Institutional Resources - Core Facilities

College of Medicine

• Animal Care Management - animal care services and resources.
• Bioinformatics Core - builds biomedical research capacity throughout the state by promoting faculty and student research at our Baccalaureate Partner Institutions (BPIs) - Castleton State College, Green Mountain College, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College, Middlebury College, Norwich University, and Saint Michael's College.
• Biostatistical Bioinformatics Facility - a facility for developing and maintaining a comprehensive coordinated program of research support covering biostatistics, statistical genetics, and epidemiology for biomedical and health-related research activities including transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, and epigenomics. 
• Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Laboratory and Inhalation Facility - this new lab will be located at the Colchester Research Facility providing a competitive environment for grants in specialized research, including specific infectious diseases.
• Cryoelectron Microscopy Facility - research focuses on the three-dimensional structure determination of macromolecular assemblies using electron microscopy combined with image processing.
• Flow Cytometry Facility - designed as a multi-user resource for high-speed analysis and sorting of cells.
• Instrumentation & Model Facility - design and fabrication of custom mechanical, optical, electronic, and microcomputer-based instruments, parts, and models for UVM research.
• Laboratory for Clinical Biochemistry Research - integrates epidemiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology to help assess cardiovascular risk factors.
• Mass Spectrometry - used to measure stable isotopically labeled compounds used to study metabolism in humans.
• Microscopy Imaging Center - imaging, including multispectral confocal microscopy, in the Biomedical and Materials sciences from tissues and surfaces to molecules.
• MRI Center for Biomedical Imaging - a research-only facility that specializes in functional and static brain imaging.
• Neuroscience COBRE Core - includes Imaging and Physiology, Cellular/Molecular, and Translational Cores.
• Transgenic Mouse Facility - contains five bubble chambers for newly derived transgenic founders, storage rooms, and cleanroom housing the microinjecting laboratory. It is a strict barrier facility and maintains a pathogen-free environment.

University of Vermont Cancer Center

The cancer programs of the UVMCC are poised to understand the basic mechanisms causing cancer and provide novel dimensions to mechanistically and clinically understand cancer, cancer patients, and their social and physical environments.

To this effect, the UVMCC Core Facilities and Clinical Research Office support initiatives that range from gene regulatory mechanisms to investigator-initiated trials. The UVMCC cancer programs are exploring unique parameters of psychosocial and behavioral issues that are associated with cancer along with unique approaches to evaluating the quality of care and assessment of health outcomes; emphasis is placed on the delivery of cancer screening and treatment to rural and underserved populations.

• Vermont Integrative Genomics Resource (VIGR) - an overarching umbrella encompassing three distinct shared resource facility arms: The University of Vermont Cancer Center DNA Analysis, the Vermont Biomedical Research Network (VBRN), and the University of Vermont Cancer Center-College of Medicine Massively Parallel Sequencing Facilities.
• Biostatistics - develops and maintains a comprehensive coordinated program of research support covering biostatistics, statistical genetics, and epidemiology for biomedical and health-related research activities.
• Flow Cytometry - provides state-of-the-art analytical flow cytometry capabilities to UVMCC researchers. Investigators can use flow cytometry to analyze cells or cellular components for a wide range of immunologic, intracellular, genetic, and morphological characteristics. The facility features an EPICS XL four-color analytical flow cytometer that is capable of simultaneously collecting data from up to eleven parameters in parallel.
• Microscopy Imaging - designed as a multi-user resource for the collection and analysis of biological images for clinical and research applications. The MIC consists of ten microscopy-based imaging systems. At the light and electron microscopic levels, it provides state-of-the-art, quality-assured, morphologically oriented services.

The Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network 

The Northern New England Clinical & Translational Research Network (NNE-CTR) provides a foundation for research impacting the health and healthcare of our unique region. Our team offers financial and research-related resources for investigators and community members who share our vision of eliminating health disparities and inequities in northern New England. From pilot project funding to professional development to research development expertise, we serve as a bridge connecting researchers, clinicians, and interested community members with the resources they need to successfully pursue meaningful and impactful clinical, translational, and community health projects.

• Administrative Core - Serving as the heart of the NNE-CTR, providing the leadership and resources to support regionally-relevant research.
• Biostatistics, Epidemiology, & Research Design Core - Providing expert guidance across the research process, from study design to analysis and reporting.
• Community Engagement & Outreach Core - Facilitating community-engaged research by connecting researchers and communities.
• Pilot Projects Program - Providing financial support for research and/or community projects.
• Professional Development Core - Offering mentorship and professional development for NNE-CTR clinical & translational investigators and clinicians at any stage in their careers.
• Tracking & Evaluation Core - Collecting network-wide data on program activities, outcomes, and diversity to inform Administrative Core decision-making.
• Translational Research Technologies Core - Providing all NNE-CTR members with access to state-of-the-art research technologies offered by our partner institutions.

Cardiovascular Research Institute 

The Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont was founded in 2002 as an organization dedicated to reducing the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of heart and vascular diseases through improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

By fostering collaborations among the different departments at The University of Vermont and The UVM Medical Center, CVRI-VT encourages critical thinking that challenges assumptions and promotes excellence in clinical practice.

Center for Biomedical Innovation 

UVM’s Center for Biomedical Innovation (CBI) aspires to be an internationally recognized hub for the design, development, and testing of biomedical devices and systems with a focus on rural healthcare. The center will also support and train inventors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who will bring advanced biomedical technologies to the people of Vermont and the world.