Shared Facilities
The Markey Cancer Center, a multidisciplinary "Matrix" center within the University of Kentucky, provides a number of shared research resources to foster and facilitate advances in the prevention, early detection and management of cancer. These combined resources support a broad spectrum of molecular, cellular, animal, human and behavioral/epidemiology studies for advancement of the overall Mission of the Center.
The physical facilities of the Markey Cancer Center include approximately 35,000 sq. ft. of state of the art laboratory research space which houses a variety of specialized research instruments plus expertise supporting a number of core facilities. Shared equipment available in the Combs Cancer Research Building includes:
- A Molecular Dynamics Phosphoimager
- Beta, Gamma and Top-Count radioisotope counters
- Beckman and Spectronic Instruments spectrophotometers
- Dupont-Sorvall/Kendro preparative, high-speed and ultra-centrifuges
- digital photography system
- specialized "barrier" animal care facility
- shared cell culture facility
- glassware washing and sterilization facility
Core facilities/Shared Research Resources with supporting technical expertise:
Transgenic and Genetically Defined Mouse Facility
Established in 1989, this facility provides state of the art equipment and expertise essential for producing transgenics and maintains a mouse colony in the UK Division of Laboratory Animal Research Facility dedicated to transgenic production. Genetically-Defined Mouse development is a custom-design, sub-specialty enterprise carried out in close collaboration with the initiating laboratory. Contact: Mike Green at 859-257-2118 or
www.uky.edu/~magree00/.
Biospecimen Core Program
The Markey Biospecimen Core Program (Markey BCP) collects, processes, stores and distributes tissues, cells and blood constituents to support front-line translational and correlative clinical research in cancer diseases. This facility is an initiative of the Kentucky Lung Cancer Research Program and a core program of the Markey Cancer Center. Markey BCP staff assists investigators in obtaining IRB certification plus acquisition and processing of targeted biospecimens in accordance with specific research protocols or as prospective-use collections.
For more information regarding Markey BCP, please contact Keith Dickerson at
859-323-2618 or visit: http://www.kentuckylungcancer.org/bcp.
High-field NMR spectroscopy and Molecular Modeling
This facility supports basic research on structure-function relationships in biological macromolecules and in vivo studies of cellular metabolism. The facility operates a 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, a high-resolution graphics workstation for molecular modeling, and data processing computers for analyzing both NMR and circular dichroism. X-ray crystallographic data (Brookhaven and Cambridge Data Banks) and the UK Center for Computational Sciences can be assessed directly from the facility via Ethernet.
Contact: Peter Spielmann, Ph.D., 859-257-4774.
Clinical Research Coordinating Center
The Markey Clinical Research Coordinating Center (CRCC) coordinates the development, review and oversight of all Medical Center cancer-related clinical trials. The objective of the CRCC is to provide central management and oversight functions for coordinating, facilitating and reporting on the Medical Center cancer-related clinical trials. The CRCC coordinates the Protocol Review Committee, the Quality Assurance Committee, the research component of the Clinical Care and Research Teams, and the auditing program. The Center also manages the cancer research database, OncoreT. OncoreT plays a vital role in the success of the Cancer Center and is an essential component in becoming an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Contact: Kristie Summers, CRCC at 859-323-5127
Active Cancer Studies: markey.uky.edu/studysearch/
Beyond the immediate confines of the cancer center, the organization supports several additional key resources:
Fluorescence Activation and Cell Sorting Facility
This facility provides state-of-the-art analysis and sorting of single-cell populations for research. The facility offers a Cytomation MoFlo cell sorter with three lasers and high-speed cell sorting capability, and a Becton-Dickinson FacsCalibur cell analyzer and a Miltenyi-Biotech autoMACS separator for magnetic cell sorting. Researchers can schedule to have their samples analyzed/sorted for membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear antigen expression, light-scattering properties, DNA content, cell cycles, and apoptosis, as well as measure intracellular biochemical changes such as calcium flux and pH. Researchers must schedule time at least 72 hours in advance.
Contact: Jennifer Strange or
Greg Bauman at 859-323-6859, Fax: 859-257-8994, or
Don Cohen (Director)
dcohen@uky.edu
859-323-5131
www.mc.uky.edu/microbiology/flowcytometry.asp
Pharmacokinetics
Preclinical and Phase I/II clinical studies depend heavily on assessments of active drug delivery, achievement of maximum effective drug dosages, intervening drug metabolism and ultimate drug clearance to guide the codification of drug administration for optimal therapeutic impact. Complex algorithms for drug dosing formulations, amounts and schedules need to be carefully worked out, taking into account body composition, circadian rhythm, dietary intake and potentially confounding medications capable of altering drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and/or excretion. Assessments of these and other parameters unique to particular drug formulations are carried out with a complete armamentarium of analytic tools available in the College of Pharmacy.
Contact: Marcos Leggas, Ph.D.
mlegg2@email.uky.edu.
Pharmacogenomics
DNA microarray technology, combined with bioinformatics, is utilized in dissecting the complexity of the oncogenic process as well as to improve patient care in targeting therapies to the molecular events deregulated in specific patient populations.
Contact: Penni Black
penni.black@uky.edu
Cancer Prevention and Control
The unique Cancer Prevention and Control Division of the center offers a number of key research resources for population-based studies, which include:
Kentucky Cancer Registry
The Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR) began as a voluntary cancer case reporting system in 1986. Mandatory reporting officially began statewide January 1, 1991. To facilitate this process, the KCR developed and offers a fully computerized data capture, analysis and reporting system that is distributed statewide. This system has become a national model, now shared with a number of other states.
In 2000, KCR was selected as one of four expansion registries to become part of the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program. Data from KCR have been submitted to the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) for an objective evaluation of completeness, accuracy and timeliness each year since a formal certification program was established in 1997. In each year (1999 - 2001) KCR received the highest level of NAACCR certification available (Gold). Data from the KCR provide a rich resource for many different kinds of research studies and currently supports a number of research projects. Additional information, contact connections and current data available may be accessed from the Registry Web site:
www.kcr.uky.edu/
Cancer Information Service
The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center is funded by the National Cancer Institute to operate the Mid-South Cancer Information Service, serving Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. By pooling resources toward common goals, the CIS and its partners leverage resources and design programs with wider reach. The CIS assists organizations seeking cancer-related expertise by providing:
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Education about the latest, most accurate cancer information, resources available from NCI and referrals
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Training on methods to educate their populations on cancer-related topics
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Assistance in planning cancer education programs and evaluating their success
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Assistance in developing new coalitions or strengthening existing coalitions
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Advice about strategies to reach minority and medically underserved
State and regional organizations can learn more about collaborating with CIS by visiting the NCI's Cancer Information Service's Web site or by contacting a Mid-South CIS staff member. Additional information is available at:
cancer.uky.edu/cis/
Prevention Research Center
The Prevention Research Center offers partnerships in research and demonstration projects in cancer surveillance and prevention throughout Kentucky and the surrounding region.
www.mc.uky.edu/ukprc/
University of Kentucky Research Support Resources
In addition to these resources, the University of Kentucky offers a variety of other highly specialized core research facilities. Descriptions and contact information for these research support are available at the following Web link:
www.research.uky.edu/faculty/
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