Three sections compose the Analytical Core Facility: protein services, molecular biology, and biophysical-chemistry. Services for protein sequencing, peptide synthesis, amino acid analysis, and peptide separation in preparation for sequencing on a microbore HPLC system are provided in the protein chemistry section. Mass spectrometry has become available to further expand the current characterization capabilities of the Facility. The molecular biology section provides DNA sequencing and DNA synthesis. The biophysical-chemistry section uses hydrodynamic, spectroscopic and thermodynamic methods to study protein-DNA interactions, protein-protein interactions and structural transitions in macromolecules. Centralizing these facilities ensures efficient use of expensive equipment, reagents, and personnel time, and high quality of data.
The analyses performed by the Analytical Core Facility rely on analytical instrumentation that is expertly maintained and operated. In order to provide analyses that are immediately useful and functional to users of the facility, the staff provides data interpretation and assists in experimental design. The core facility educates the users in the capabilities of the instrumentation and keeps up-to-date with the rapidly changing technologies. Along with this, the staff develops methods that are needed for the successful completion of research projects. The high standards set by the Analytical Core Facility have a large impact on the success of the research conducted at the Portland Unit.