Resources
Functional analysis at the tissue or cellular level. Users will have the option of being trained to perform specific assays or have the PCIRCF carry out specific assays. Assays include, but are not limited to:
- Colony formation assays
- DNA damage and repair analyses
- Cell cycle analysis
- Apoptosis assays
- Metabolic profiling
- Blood collections (animal studies) and
- Tumor collection for IHC
Cell line portfolio. The PCIRCF has over 100 tumor cell lines available to users:
- NSCLC cell lines
- HNSCC cell lines
- Breast cancer cell lines
- Pancreatic cancer cell lines
- Prostate cancer cell lines
- Mouse syngeneic cell lines
The PCIRCF offers the following resources to all UTSW principal investigators as well as investigators from other UT systems:
- Assistance in drafting animal protocols that involve PCIRCF instruments
- Support in designing the radiation study component of animal protocols
- Help in writing sections of grant proposals related to animal studies involving radiation and imaging equipment
- Provision of methodologies and dosimetric data for radiation-related studies in manuscripts
- Supply letters of support for grant proposals
Consulting with Collaboration
Our consulting service offers a collaborative approach to research and experimentation across various institutions, including academic partners like UT Arlington, UT Dallas, and the University of North Texas (UNT), as well as commercial entities. Each institution brings a unique specialization to the table:
- UT Arlington focuses on drug delivery and radiation research
- UT Dallas is known for its work in photodynamic therapy
- UNT specializes in lung biochip technology.
On the commercial side, Vaxdome, based in Denton, TX, specializes in virus radiation, and Colossal Laboratories & Biosciences offers cutting-edge research capabilities.
The PCIRCF provides comprehensive support to collaborators, including the ability to conduct animal experiments for those outside of UTSW. Additionally, the core assists in the development of animal protocols for external collaborators, ensuring that all necessary guidelines and procedures are met. Researchers from other UT system schools, such as UT Arlington, UT Dallas, and UNT, are granted access to the UTSW animal facility once they have received proper training.
Cesium Irradiator Replacement Project (CIRP)
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Radiological Security (ORS) is working with domestic users of cesium-137-based irradiators who are interested in converting to viable non-radioisotopic alternatives with a financial incentive towards the purchase price of a new non-radioisotopic device.
In molecular radiation biology, a cesium irradiator is used to expose cells and model organisms, such as flies, to controlled doses of gamma (γ) radiation, ranging from high to low levels. This controlled exposure allows scientists to study DNA damage and repair and cell survival post-radiation therapy.
The irradiator is particularly useful for inducing DNA double-strand breaks, which are critical for studying cellular repair mechanisms and understanding how cells respond to radiation damage. Cesium irradiators help assess cell survival rates and investigate factors that impact cellular resilience and sensitivity following radiation therapy, providing insights relevant to cancer treatment and radiation protection.