Biomolecular Interactions Core Facility (BICF)

The Biomolecular Core Interactions Facility (BCIF) provides instrumentation and assistance for the characterization of biomolecules and biomolecular systems. Our current offerings include chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation, circular dichroism, isothermal titration calorimetry, and surface plasmon resonance. The BCIF is managed by the Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry and is located in Polk Hall 41, adjacent to METRIC labs. We serve researchers across the NC State campus and beyond, both academic and corporate.

Contact the Director, Dr. Peter Thompson

Core Instrumentation

Applied Photophysics CD

Structural, kinetic and thermodynamic information about macromolecules can be derived from circular dichroism spectroscopy. CD can be used to observe how secondary structure changes with environmental conditions or upon interaction with other molecules. Quartz cuvettes with pathlengths of 1 cm and 1 mm are available.

Contact for training and scheduling 

Beckman ProteomeLab XL-A

Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC) is a non-destructive technique used to assess the size and shape of macromolecules. It can also be used to assess multimerization states and binding constants for intermolecular interactions. A 4-hole rotor and cells for standard Sedimentation Velocity and Sedimentation Equilibrium experiments are available.

Contact for training and scheduling 

Biacore 3000

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) allows real-time, label-free detection of biomolecular interaction. Target molecules, usually proteins, are immobilized on a prepared gold sensor surface and a sample containing a potential interacting partner in solution is injected over the surface through a series of flow cells. SPR allows for measurements of binding affinities and kinetics.

Contact for training and scheduling 

Malvern Panalytical MicroCal PEAQ Isothermal Titration Calorimeter

The MicroCal PEAQ-ITC is a highly sensitive, low volume instrument for the label-free in-solution study of biomolecular interactions. The system directly measures heat released or absorbed during biochemical binding events, from which it calculates binding affinity (Kd), stoichiometry (n), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS).

Contact for training and scheduling 

Waters Ultra Pressure Liquid Chromatography System

The Waters Ultra Pressure Liquid Chromatography System (UPLC) allows for high-resolution separation and quantitation of biomolecular compounds. It can handle multiwell plates for increased throughput and boasts a column heater for improved resolution. It is equipped with a UV-Vis detector that can simultaneously collect absorption at two wavelengths

Contact for training and scheduling 

Policies

The BICF is a self-use facility supported by the Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, CALS, and its partners. The facility is available to NC State researchers, external academic users, and corporate users, in that priority order. Users are required to complete specific trainings on each instrument they wish to use to be certified as an independent user. Once complete, users will be provided room/building access as well as the instrument scheduling calendar (Please note minimum reservation times below). For users who wish to send samples for analysis, please contact the Director.

Rates

The rates shown below are for self-use rates for academic users, following required training. Please contact for corporate and assisted use fees.

Applied Photophysics CD – $25/hr (4 hour minimum)

Beckman Proteome Lab XL-A – $25/hr (8 hour minimum)

Biacore 3000 – $25/hr (4 hour minimum)

Malvern MicroCal PEAQ Isothermal Titration Calorimeter – $40/hr (2 hour minimum)

Waters Ultra Pressure Liquid Chromatography System – $17/hr (2 hour minimum)