3T MRI/PET Imaging Core
Provides advanced 3T PET/MRI capabilities for clinical and research PET/MRI imaging using the cutting-edge uPMR 790 system.
Services:
Research and clinical MRI, PET/MRI, contrast imaging, and radiologist readings.
Research Cores and Service Centers
UTHealth Houston encourages the development of collaborative relationships among faculty around research and academic mission-related interests. To support these collaborations, UTHealth Houston enables academic departments, schools, and the university to establish research service centers (RSCs), shared research resources, and other collaborative research facilities and services that advance specific research and academic missions. These resources may include fee-for-service capabilities as well as shared, collaborative infrastructure and centers that provide broader support for faculty research programs. Together, these resources support UTHealth Houston’s growing research enterprise.
To explore trends in research activity, funding, and proposal development across the university, visit the UTHealth Houston Blue Ridge Research Performance Dashboard and the UTHealth Houston Internal Awards and Proposals Dashboard.
To learn more about the policies governing the development and administration of RSCs and related shared research resources, see Development and Administration of Research Service Centers.
Search all cores and service centers
7T Preclinical Imaging Core
Provides state-of-the-art preclinical imaging with a simultaneous 7T Bruker PET-MRI system and IconeUS functional ultrasound.
Services:
In vivo and ex vivo MRI, PET/MRI, functional ultrasound imaging, imaging data analysis, behavioral lab access, and assisted surgical room access.
Atomic Force Microscopy Core
Provides nanoscale structural and nanomechanical analysis using a NanoWizard V AFM integrated with a Nikon TE2000 inverted microscope.
Services:
AFM/fluorescence imaging, topographical imaging, nanomechanical measurements, force spectroscopy, mechanical-property mapping, and 3D image analysis
B.R.A.I.N.S. HumanBiorepository and Histopathology Core
Provides access to well-characterized neurological biospecimens and specialized histology and neuropathology services for human and animal tissues.
Services:
Tissue processing and sectioning, histology and immunostaining, in situ hybridization, neuropathology consultation, spatial transcriptomics, and biospecimen access.
Behavioral Sciences Imaging Center
A multidisciplinary research imaging and computational center anchored by a Siemens 3-Tesla MAGNETOM Cima.X system, supporting high-resolution neuroimaging, biomedical and translational research, and advanced computational analysis.
Services:
MRI scanning, MRI training, and data computation.
Biobehavioral Health Biomarker Discovery Service Center
Provides laboratory services for biomarker discovery and biobehavioral health research, from specimen collection and processing through assay development and analysis.
Services:
Sample collection, preservation and storage, phlebotomy, DNA/RNA extraction, multiplex assays, assay development, and bioinformatics consultation.
Bioinformatics & High Performance Computing Center
Provides expertise and computing infrastructure for bioinformatics, large-scale biological data analysis, high-performance computing, and AI-enabled research.
Services:
Sequencing and gene expression analysis, genotyping, proteomics, metabolomics, protein structure prediction, data mining, custom analyses, and grant development.
Biomedical Informatics Group - Analytics Research Center (BIG-ARC)
Provides biomedical informatics and data-management expertise to support clinical and translational research, including integration and reuse of clinical, laboratory, and administrative data.
Services:
REDCap custom work, clinical data support, and custom informatics projects.
Cancer Genomics Center
Provides next-generation sequencing and advanced bioinformatics support for cancer and related research.
Services:
Biospecimen management, DNA/RNA preparation, library construction, sequencing, bioinformatics and omics analysis, study design, and grant consultation.
Cellular Therapy Core
Translates preclinical cell- and tissue-based therapies into clinical-grade manufacturing processes and products in FDA-registered facilities compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and Good Tissue Practice (cGTP).
Services:
Process development and scale-up, cGMP documentation, quality control (QC) assay development, IND/CMC support, clinical-grade manufacturing, clinical flow cytometry, and QC testing.
Center for Advanced Microscopy Core
A Nikon Center of Excellence providing advanced light microscopy, specialized imaging systems, and quantitative image analysis to support biomedical research.
Services:
Confocal, STORM, SIM, FLIM, IVIS, and 3D-STED imaging, with assisted or independent instrument use and training.
Center for Craniofacial Research Instrumentation Core (CCRIC)
Provides shared instrumentation for imaging, bioprinting, biomaterials characterization, mechanical testing, spectroscopy, and related biomedical research applications.
Services:
Microscopy and SEM, bioprinting, mechanical testing, spectroscopy, flow cytometry, and image analysis.
Center for Health Care Data Core (CHCD)
Provides access to health care claims, electronic medical records (EMRs), and state datasets, with expertise to make complex health data accessible and actionable for research.
Services:
Claims and EMR data access, and custom extracts, data enhancement, modeling and analytics, visualization and programming, and project consultation.
Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine & Care (CLAMC)
Supports UTHealth Houston’s biomedical research programs by providing laboratory animal care in coordination with the institutional Animal Welfare Committee (AWC).
Services:
Veterinary care, surgical support, animal care, and training on the care and use of research animals.
Clinical and Translational Proteomics Service Center
Provides state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, proteomics, and bioinformatics support for basic, translational, and clinical research.
Services:
Proteomic profiling, PTM analysis, protein/peptide characterization, quantitative and targeted proteomics, data analysis, and biomarker/drug-development support.
Clinical Data Core
Provides a unified clinical data platform integrating electronic health record data from UT Physicians and Memorial Hermann Health System to support clinical, translational, and quality-improvement research.
Services:
Cohort discovery and linkage, research consultation, IRB-approved data extracts, longitudinal cohort assembly, clinical trial and registry support, and imaging data delivery.
Clinical Research Unit (CRU)
Provides dedicated facilities, specialized personnel, and operational support for conducting inpatient and outpatient clinical research at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
Services:
Clinical research space, nursing and coordinator support, lab services, regulatory monitoring, protocol consultation, research training, and administrative support.
Cryo-Electron Microscopy Core
Provides state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for near-atomic single-particle analysis and cellular structure determination by cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET).
Services:
Specimen optimization, grid preparation and screening, cryo-EM/cryo-ET data collection, and user training.
DNA Sequencing and Genotyping Core
Provides technical and consultative support for genetic studies, including DNA sequencing, genotyping, statistical analysis, and sample banking.
Services:
Sanger sequencing, microsatellite and SNP genotyping, study design and interpretation, informed-consent/genetic counseling guidance, statistical analysis, and sample banking.
Flow Cytometry Service Center
Provides flow cytometry instrumentation, training, and analysis support for single-cell analysis and cell sorting
Services:
Data acquisition, cell sorting and single-cell deposition, post-acquisition analysis, experimental/panel design, troubleshooting, and user training.
Histology Service Center
Provides CLIA/CAP-certified histology and pathology support for human and animal tissues, with expertise in tissue processing, staining, and biomarker evaluation.
Services:
Frozen and paraffin sectioning, tissue processing and embedding, special stains, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and pathology consultation.
MicroCT Imaging Center
Provides high-resolution in vivo and ex vivo microCT imaging using a Bruker SkyScan 1276 system for small animals and specimens.
Services:
In vivo and ex vivo microCT scanning, 3D imaging, quantitative image analysis, and assisted or independent instrument use.
Neuroscience Behavioral Core
Provides advanced mouse behavioral testing and neural circuit research support for basic and translational neuroscience studies.
Services:
Behavioral phenotyping, cognitive testing, EEG/EMG, optogenetics, fiber photometry, live-animal brain imaging, neurostimulation, stereotaxic procedures, device implantation, and data analysis.
Small Animal Cardiovascular Phenotyping Center
Provides equipment and expertise for assessment of small-animal cardiovascular structure and physiology.
Services:
Vevo 3100 echocardiography and CODA tail-cuff blood pressure measurement.