Mays Cancer Center Shared Resources

These Shared Resources provide state-of-the-art technology and expertise to members of the Cancer Development and Progression (CDP), Experimental and Developmental Therapeutics (EDT) and Population Science and Prevention (PSP) programs at substantial cost-savings, operating and adhering to the best scientific and financial practices.

There are six Mays Cancer Center Shared Resources to support research activities. They are listed as follows:

1. Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (BBSR)
2. Drug Discovery and Structural Biology (DDSBSR)
3. Flow Cytometry (FCSR)
4. Mass Spectrometry (MSSR)
5. Next Generation Sequencing (NGSSR)
6. Optical Imaging (OISR)

Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource (BBSR)

Director: Yidong Chen, PhD
Co-director: Jonathan Gelfond, MD, PhD

The Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource (BBSR) provides consolidated biostatistical and bioinformatics support and expertise; state-of-the-art data science tools for design and development of basic, clinical and population-based studies; and data-focused education and training to Mays Cancer Center members and trainees. The BBSR emphasizes support of new research investigations.

Find out more about the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource.

Drug Discovery and Structural Biology Shared Resource (DDSBSR)

Co-director: Daohong Zhou, MD
Co-director: Shaun Olsen, PhD

The Drug Discovery and Structural Biology Shared Resource (DDSB) provides advanced capabilities to Mays Cancer Center investigators for the study of cancer-related macromolecules at the atomic and molecular levels and how they interact with other macromolecules such as ligands and for the identification of small molecules that can target them using advanced tools. Those tools include X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic (NMR) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and high-throughput screening (HTS) technologies—including cell-based phenotypic high-content imaging-based and purified component-based HTS. The DDSB makes critical contributions to the Mays Cancer Center’s overarching mission to decrease the burden of cancer by providing a comprehensive platform that integrates structural biology, molecular phenotypes and drug discovery to expand knowledge on cancer etiology, discover cancer-relevant targets and identify potential therapeutics.

Find out more about the Discovery and Structural Biology Shared Resource.

Flow Cytometry Shared Resource (FCSR)

Director: Michael Berton, PhD
Co-director: Nameer Kirma, PhD
Co-director: Yue Li, PhD

The Flow Cytometry Shared Resource (FCSR) delivers high-throughput, multidimensional single-cell analysis and cell sorting using the latest equipment for Mays Cancer Center members. FCSR services include multiparameter analysis and sorting of subpopulations of cells, single-cell cloning and sorting for downstream genomics/transcriptomics and single-cell proteomics with the Helios CYTOF mass cytometry.

Find out more about the Flow Cytometry Shared Resource. 

Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource (MSSR)

Director: Susan Weintraub, PhD

The Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource (MSSR) provides the Mays Cancer Center members with comprehensive support for the characterization and quantification of proteins and other biomedically important molecules using mass spectrometry. The MSSR is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for proteomics, with services that include molecular mass determination, protein identification and relative quantification, and identification/localization of protein modification sites.

Find out more about the Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource. 

Next Generation Sequencing Shared Resource (NGSSR)

Director: Zhao Lai, PhD

The Next Generation Sequencing Share Resource (NGSSR) provides Mays Cancer Center members with next-generation sequencing technology for detecting and exploring alterations in the nucleotide sequence, DNA copy number variation, gene expression differences, chromosome structure variation, chromatin modification, and all interactions that are linked to the complexity of phenotypes seen in cancers. The NGSSR conducts sequence applications for Mays Cancer Center users across all three scientific programs. Services include various types of library construction, DNA-seq, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, small RNA-seq and exomeCap-seq, CRISPR screening, 16S metagenomics and single-cell analysis.

Find out more about the Next Generation Sequencing Shared Resource. 

Optical Imaging Shared Resource (OISR)

Director: James Lechleiter, PhD
Co-director: Exing Wang, PhD

The Optical Imaging Shared Resource (OISR) provides Mays Cancer Center members with comprehensive support for their optical imaging needs. The OISR has been essential to Mays Cancer Center researchers by facilitating the examination of details of individual living or fixed cells. The OISR provides the requisite expertise and access to state-of-the-art optical imaging equipment for researchers, which includes multiparameter digital imaging workstations, confocal and multiphoton microscopy, super resolution and light-sheet microscopy, image analysis, consultation and training.

Find out more about the Optical Imaging Shared Resource.