Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine (BIOMMED)
BioMMED is comprised of three service-oriented, centralized core laboratories:
GeneLab: Gene Probes and Expression Systems Laboratory
GeneLab undertakes specific research and training projects, which require expertise in gene cloning, PCR, DNA sequencing, cDNA library construction, gene expression and other molecular methods.
In addition, GeneLab performs custom research projects that require other biological experimentation in collaboration with faculty and using facilities of the School of Veterinary Medicine and LSU.
Computer analysis of DNA sequences as well as consultation on molecular biological research is provided free of charge. GeneLab provides support letters to LSU-affiliated researchers for federal and state funding agencies on request.
GeneLab has two Applied Biosystems 3130 Genetic Analyzers, four real-time PCR instruments (two ABI 7900HT Sequence Detection Systems, one ABI 7500fast Sequence Detection System, and one Roche LightCycler 480 II), Alpha Innotech Fluorochem Q imaging station, BioRad BioPlex, Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, two MJ Research PTC-200 Peltier Thermal Cyclers, Bio-Rad GenePulser Xcell Electroporation System, Eppendorf Centrifuge 5417C, Qiagen 4-15C tabletop centrifuge, Turner Designs TD-20/20 Luminometer, NanoDrop ND-1000 Spectrophotometer, Molecular Devices SpectraMax M2 microplate reader, Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer, and various computers and software.
Additional equipment is available in the departments of Pathobiological Sciences and Comparative Biomedical Sciences that house centralized facilities such as the Organ and Tissue Culture Laboratory, the Glassware and Media Preparation Laboratory, the Electron Microscopy Laboratory, and the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory.
GeneLab now operates a Supply Center offering scientific reagents and supplies from Life Technologies (formerly Applied Biosystems and Invitrogen Corp). Discounted pricing has been negotiated with these vendors to ensure that LSU researchers get the most value for their money. In addition, free shipping will be offered to all orders shipped directly to GeneLab. For most orders this is an additional savings of 15-25%.
Investigators have the cost-free option of picking up their orders from GeneLab (located in room 3212 of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine) or having their orders delivered to an LSU campus address for an additional $5, to be invoiced via an LSU Internal Transaction.
Contact
Thaya Stoufflet, Lab Manager
Viral Vectors Laboratory
The VVL provides custom baculovirus, adenovirus, vaccinia virus, herpes, and other recombinant virus construction for heterologous gene expression, and vaccine and gene therapy studies. For the production of proteins in eukaryotic cells the laboratory uses recombinant baculoviruses-based expression in insect cell cultures.
The VVL is currently supported by a Louisiana Governor's Biotechnology Initiative Program Grant as a support facility for the construction of recombinant adenoviruses and herpes simplex viruses for cancer therapy. In addition, VVL is funded by NIH for the generation of vesicular stomatitis viruses as vaccine vectors for West Nile virus and simian retroviruses in collaboration with the Tulane National Primate Research Center in Covington, Louisiana.
VVL provides technological and scale-up support services via direct contractual arrangements. For further information, contact Dr. Vladimir Chouljenko.
Vladimir Chouljenko
PhD
Associate Professor (Research)
Department of Pathobiological Sciences
Protein and Antibody Production and Purification Laboratory
This laboratory concentrates on the production and purification of proteins and antibodies under contractual arrangements with clients. The laboratory produces monospecific antibodies in rabbits and mice using conventional immunization methodologies using purified protein immunogens as well as genetic immunization methods. Antibodies are concentrated and purified using standard methodologies.
The laboratory provides service support on the use of chromatographic methods for the purification of proteins from bacterial or eukaryotic expression systems. One example of a purification procedure involves the purification of histidine-tagged proteins produced in bacteria and insect cells. Purification by FPLC is done using immobilized metal ion adsorption chromatography (IMAC). Additional chromatographic methodologies that can be applied include Ion Exchange chromatography (IEC) and reverse-phase chromatography.
The laboratory has a fully automated chromatographic system AKTAExplorer FPLC system (Amersham/Pharmacia). The entire system is refrigerated and computer controlled using Unicorn software v3.10. HPLC equipment are available for further protein purification in collaboration with the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory of the department of Comparative Medical Sciences at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
Konstantin "Gus" Kousoulas
PhD
Professor and Head of Department
Department of Pathobiological Sciences
Welcome to the Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine (BioMMED) at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. We are engaged in innovative research to determine the molecular basis of various diseases, as well as to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. BioMMED is a multidisciplinary research, support and development unit that provides centralized access to state-of-the-art equipment and advanced training in molecular and cell biology.
In addition, BioMMED oversees two NIH:NCRR funded research cores: INBRE-funded The Molecular and Cell Biology Core. The functions of these core laboratories are integrated within BioMMED and the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine facilities and consist of state-of-the-art equipment and support services that are jointly staffed by BioMMED and TNPRC faculty and personnel.
Affiliations
The Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN) was established in September 2001 with Biomedical Research Infrastructure Networks (BRIN) funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) and is committed to raising the research competitiveness of Louisiana researchers. IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) is the second phase of the BRIN Program.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty
PhD
Professor and Head of Department
Department of Pathobiological Sciences.
Vladimir Chouljenko
PhD
Associate Professor (Research)
Department of Pathobiological Sciences
Md Mehedi Hasan
PhD
Assistant Professor (Research)
Department of Pathobiological Sciences
DR. HASAN'S FACULTY PAGEPost-doctoral Researchers
Graduate Students
Administration
