Core Facilities

The Molecular Sciences Research Center (MSRC) is a non profit organization with state-of-the-art facilities for advanced research that is associated with the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). We provide cutting edge laboratory spaces, the latest instrumentation, and scientific expertise. We strive to create collaborations and partnerships with the academic and private sectors, and federal and local agencies.

Clinical Bioreagent Center

A Comprehensive Solution to Process Development of Biopharmaceuticals The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and CDI Laboratories have partnered to provide comprehensive solutions for process development. The CDI facility, based in Mayaguez, performs protein expression trials and develops purification schemes. The UPR facility, based in the MSRC, develops tailored analytical tools for a wide array of biological products in a good manufacturing practice environment. Our goal is to streamline the process development pipeline of a promising biotherapeutic from lead to clinic. Click here to know more about this facility.

Crystallization Design Institute

The Institute was founded by Dr. Vilmalí López-Mejías and Dr. Torsten Stelzer with the mission of providing technical services and unparalleled expertise ranging from materials design to crystallization process development. It is focused on providing molecular and engineering solutions to pressing challenges in materials design and crystallization process development. Click here to know more about this facility.

Nikon Center of Excellence in Microscopy

Neuroimaging and Electrophysiology Facility (NIEF) is a core research facility for fluorescent microscopy and electrophysiology applications. NIEF is also world-renowned as a Nikon Center of Excellence. We offer a range of services to meet your research needs, from the acquisition and analysis of fluorescence-based images and electrophysiology recordings to hands-on training in microscopy and electrophysiology. At the NIEF, you will have the opportunity to capture high-quality confocal images of subcellular structures and molecular events with great sensitivity and high speed, as well as the detection of action potentials and ion channel currents from primary and recombinant cells to cellular tissues and animal models.

Click here to know more about this facility.

Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Center

The facility has the capability of running a broad range of applications including GC / MS, HPLC / MS, analysis of volatile organic compounds by headspace, direct insertion probe, direct injection, as well as analysis of polymers or protein materials. This facility includes:

Bruker Scion TQ GC-MS- MS,
Waters Xevo G2-S Q-TOF
HPLC-UV Alliance 2695
Q-Tof Micro Ms/MS

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

The NMR Facility includes 4 NMR spectrometers: Bruker Avance DPX-300 with multinuclear and variable temperature capability used for routine samples. Bruker Avance AV-500 with multinuclear capabilities equipped with a broadband auto tunable probe with gradients. Bruker Ascend Aeon 700 with multinuclear, variable temperature and cross polarization magnetic angle spinning. Bruker Ascend Aeon 500 with Ultra Shield Aeon Magnet, which eliminates liquid nitrogen from magnet and minimizes helium refills to small volume top-off every 1-2 years. It is equipped with a Prodigy cryoprobe PH5010, an ultra-high sensitivity Multinuclear (5mm sample diameter), including high sensitivity 2H lock channel. It is ideally suited for research applications in chemistry demanding highest sensitivity for X nuclei with 1H decoupling as well as excellent 1H or 19F observe sensitivity. The broadband channel covers a wide range of nuclei from 31P to 15N. Standard temperature range: -40° to 80°C.

Surface Analysis

The surface microscopy equipment includes:

EOL 6480LV scanning electron microscopes (SEM) with low vacuum and X-ray fluorescence (EDAX) capabilities
Digital Instrument Nanoscope IIIA Atomic Force (AFM)
Scanning Tunneling (STM) Microscopes
PHI Physical Electronics 5600 ESCA System
Nicolet IS 50 FT-IR Spectrometer and Continuum IR Microscope
Thermo Scientific DXR Raman Imaging Microscope
Bruker Tensor 27 and Helios attenuated total Reflectance Spectrometer
Bruker Lumus Microscope

Sequencing & Genomics Facility

The Facility has been providing services for projects since 2006. SGF collaborates closely with the High Performance Computing Facility at the UPR, creating opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to experience and learn latest technological advances and the bioinformatics tools needed to analyze these large datasets as well as providing ample project consulting and training.

UPR’s X-ray Diffraction Facility

The University of Puerto Rico’s X-ray Diffraction Facility (UPR’s-XRDf) was founded by Dr. Dalice M. Piñero Cruz and Dr. Vilmalí López-Mejías in February 2017 through the acquisition of a Major Research Instrumentation Grant from the National Science Foundation. The UPR’s-XRDf operates within the University of Puerto Rico’s Molecular Science Research Center (UPR’s MSRC) and complements the Materials Characterization Center (MCC).

Equipment
Polarized optical microscopy with hot-stage and camera, inverted optical microscope with
camera, and stereomicroscope for crystal quality and stability assessment, size measurements, and sample preparation.

X-ray diffractometer – Rigaku SmartLab X-ray diffraction system for thin films and powders samples with variable temperature and pressure capabilities.

Rigaku XtalLab Supernova single-crystal X-ray Diffraction system with single micro-focus Cu source and Hypix Hybrid Array detection for the elucidation of crystalline structures for small and macromolecules, and variable temperature powder microdiffraction. Click here to know more about this facility.

Material Characterization Center

The Materials Characterization Center, Inc. (MCC) facility are located within the Natural Sciences Department and the Molecular Science Research Center (MSRC) of the University of Puerto Rico, giving access to the Faculty’s technicians and instrumentation capabilities and complement its own MCC’s potential, in order to offer a wider range of services using “State-of-the-Art” research technologies.

MCC follows current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP’s 21 CFR Parts 210, 211, and 820), Quality Assurance Agreements, Standard Operating Procedures in order to maintain quality, excellence, and integrity. Moreover, MCC receives external audits by the principal industries in order to maintain best quality services. MCC is the only facility to offer highly specialized analytical services and the corresponding scientific expertise under one roof, providing service to both the Industrial and Academic Sectors that are not available anywhere else in Puerto Rico, Caribbean or Latin America. For more information on our unique facilities, please click here.