Core Facilities & Technology
The mission of IMB’s Core Facilities is to provide access to and expertise in state-of-the-art technology platforms for high-level research. We run Core Facilities for bioinformatics, cytometry, genomics, microscopy, histology, protein production and proteomics, as well as a media lab and supportive infrastructure. To encourage cross-facility method development and research, we have initiated so-called “Competence Hubs” in recent years for “Single-Cell-Genomics” and “Spatial Transcriptomics”.
The Core Facilities are autonomous units, meaning they are run independently of any research group, and Core Facility staff do not work on their own research topics. This setup allows the facilities to fully concentrate their services on the scientists. Researchers have easy access to new techniques and a fast turnaround time for results. The core units are open to IMB researchers as well as researchers from other institutes and organisations in the larger community.
“The Core Facilities are like a big toolbox: techniques, instrumentation and services ready to use.”
A Head manages each Core Facility. The Core Facilities can guarantee consistent expertise, since staff members are experts in their fields and have permanent positions, which fosters the accumulation of subject-matter knowledge. Training in cutting-edge technology and methods is a key component of our staff’s professional development.
For all services and instrument usage time, fees in accordance with DFG rules apply.
The key to getting the most out of using our Core Facilities and their services is the early involvement of the respective facility. In other words, we strongly recommend a project consultation or at least a first-time contact with the facility of your choice during the planning phase of the experiment or project. Our staff are experts in their field and can provide strong support during the planning phase, giving the working group much faster access to the best-suited method and technology. We offer services ranging from experimental design and sample preparation to data generation for analysis and presentation. We can collaborate at all steps.
The Core Facilities house, manage and maintain over 100 instruments, which can be booked via our online booking system. 15 major research instruments were acquired through the DFG’s Major Research Instrumentation initiative.
When you use our instruments and services, we ask for an acknowledgement in your publication. Since 2011, the Core Facilities has co-authored around 200 publications and was acknowledged in more than 200 publications.
Core Facilities Lectures on Modern Techniques in the Life Sciences
The Core Facilities offer training, not only on the different instruments, but also via lectures and courses. These are especially tailored to PhD students, who want to understand all the current techniques and methods available in the modern life sciences. The list of upcoming lectures can be found here.