Research Facility at Dows Institute for Dental Research

Š1994 The University of Iowa College of Dentistry

Facilities

The Dental Science Building, site of the Dows Institute, is located in the Health Center Complex on the University of Iowa campus and is within walking distance of the Colleges of Medicine, University Hospitals and Clinics, Nursing Building, Pharmacy Bui lding, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Bowen Science Building, Human Biology Research Center, the Medical Research Laboratories, the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, and the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center.

The Dows Institute for Dental Research, on the fourth floor of the Dental Science Building's north wing, occupies an area of some 16,000 square feet where the laboratories support a wide range of research investigations. Joint-use core facilities, staff ed by trained personnel, provide research support for faculty and students from all parts of the College of Dentistry. Equipment supporting additional techniques are located in the laboratories of individual investigators, Major capabilities of the Dow s Institute are described below.

Histology Laboratory

In this laboratory, all types of tissue can be prepared for histological examination. A Shandon programmable tissue processor provides automated processing for paraffin embedding. Facilities for celloidin embedding and preparation of frozen sections ar e available.

Microscopy

The electron microscopy laboratories are equipped with an Amray scanning electron microscope with EDAX X-ray system for elemental analysis, a Zeiss 10C high resolution transmission electron microscope with goniometer stage and diffraction capabilities, a nd a full range of equipment for preparation of tissue for examination by scanning or transmission electron microscopy.

Light microscopy facilities include seven Zeiss light photomicroscopes equipped with visible light, as well as fluorescent, phase contrast, darkfield, and polarizing capabilities. In addition, an experimental tandem scanning light microscope is availabl e for subsurface examination of unsectioned solid material.

Quantitation

An R & B Systems Bioquant IV image analyzer provides direct quantitation from light and electron microscopes as well as densitometric measurement and three-dimensional reconstruction.

Tissue Culture Laboratories

Facilities permitting preparation and maintenance of primary isolates, organ cultures, and long-term cultures are available. Monoclonal antibodies can be produced. Equipment includes incubators and laminar flow safety hoods for tissue preparation and c ell, tissue, or organ culture.

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Equipment available for biochemical and molecular analysis includes UV and visible light spectrophotometers, Coulter counter, gas chromatograph, ultracentrifuge, and gamma and scintillation counters.

Microbiology Laboratories

These laboratories are equipped for conducting both basic and clinical research. Equipment available includes CO2 incubators, aerobic incubator, anaerobic chambers, gel electrophoresis apparatus, column chromatography systems, a spiral-plating system, a nd a spiral plater, and a chemostat for continuous culture.

Hard Tissue Laboratories

These laboratories are equipped to prepare enamel, dentin, and root sections for histological evaluation using transmitted and polarized light microscopy. A thin sectioning machine, polishing boards, microscopes, and a sonic digitizer are available. So lution chemistry and specific ion analysis, and microradiography are also available. A related laboratory offers facilities for materials testing including Instron and Zwick testing machines, a hardness tester, and a thermal cycler.

Animal Facilities

A 12-room animal house on the first floor of the Dental Science Building accommodates animals ranging in size from mice to pigs. A three-room animal surgery suite in the Dows Institute is suitable for major procedures and is equipped with scrub faciliti es, operating lights, an operating microscope, and a dental X-ray unit.

Information Resources

An information specialist provides online computer literature searches for faculty, staff, and students using databases at the National Library of Medicine and other sites. Information on funding opportunities from federal and other sources and assistan ce in using University of Iowa Libraries are also provided.

Statistical Consulting and Grant Preparation

A joint-appointed statistician works with faculty who are gathering pilot data and planning projects for submission of externally funded grants. Assistance with proposal writing and budget preparation is also available in the Dows Institute.

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Dows Institute for Dental Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242

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