The UCSF MLK Core Facility (MLK Cores) is located within the UCSF Martin Luther King Jr Research Building in Oakland, between the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and UC Berkeley campuses. MLK Cores hosts a range of scientific instrumentation for cytometry, microscopy, molecular biology, and spectrometry. The mission of MLK Cores is to provide analysis, support, and training services to UC laboratories, while also being available to external users on a fee-for-service basis.
Cytometry Instruments:
• BD Biosciences FACSAria flow cytometer
- sterile and non-sterile sorting based on up to 8 colors into tubes, 96/384-well microplates, or microscope slides
• BD Biosciences LSRFortessa flow cytometer
- automated cellular analysis based on up to 10 colors from tubes or 96/384-well microplates
• Cytek Amnis ImageStream Mk II imaging flow cytometer
- automated cellular analysis and high-resolution microscopy based on up to 6 colors from tubes
Microscopy Instruments:
• Zeiss LSM710 confocal fluorescence microscope
- advanced microscope with 6 laser sources for fixed and Z-series images, along with atmosphere control chamber for live cell analysis
• Keyence BZ-X710 fluorescence microscope
- automated digital darkroom with fluorescence, brightfield, and phase contrast imaging from slides, dishes, and microplates
• Molecular Devices ImageXpress Pico analyzer
- automated cellular analysis for digital microscopy and digital confocal imaging from slides, dishes, and microplates
Molecular Biology Instrument:
• ThermoFisher QuantStudio 6 RT-PCR system
- advanced real-time PCR for gene expression, genetic variation, gene regulation, and protein expression applications
Spectrometry Instruments:
• Agilent 5100 inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES)
- automated spectrometer for quantification of up to 30 elements at PPM-PPB levels
• Agilent 6495C triple quadrupole liquid chromatography – mass spectrometer (LC-MS)
- high performance UPLC system coupled to a QqQ mass spectrometer for detection of mass ranging 5-3000 amu
Other Services:
• cell culture facility support, including biosafety cabinets, CO2-regulating incubators, centrifuges, inverted & standard optics microscopes, etc
• ultralow freezer storage, including liquid nitrogen and -70°C with remote monitoring