Core facilities

Core facilities are shared research resources that, through economies of scale, provide access to instruments, technologies and services that are generally too expensive, complex or specialized for investigators to provide and sustain independently. They support basic and translational research and may offer expert consultation, training and education that enhance scientific interaction and productivity. User fees are normally charged to recover part, at least, of operating costs. 

  • They require actively involved scientific and managing directors who are able to interact with researchers and lab staff across a range of disciplines. A scientific advisory committee will often provide oversight and direction.
  • A core facility is a discrete unit within our institution and is not dedicated to the work of a single research group or department. Services are openly available and rendered without requirement for collaboration or co-authorship.
  • Core facilities must be validated as service providers by their host Faculty and subject to further review and resource allocation by the appropriate administrative unit.
  • Core facilities undertaking work for external organizations should make it clear that industry standards (GLP or GMP or any other regulatory bodies) are not within the research mandate.

Cumming School of Medicine


Biomedical Technical Support Centre (BTSC)

Offers electronics and mechanical services to all research laboratories. Preventative maintenance, repair, design, and fabrication are offered by highly skilled staff. The BTSC is comprised of two shops working cooperatively to meld the respective expertise of each. The individual shops are known as the Electronics and Mechanical Divisions. The BTSC is equipped to handle requests for building unique devices, making alterations to existing equipment, and to handle requests for building unique devices, making alterations to existing equipment, and to provide repair and maintenance services.

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Central Sanitation & Sterilization (CSS)

Labware washing, autoclave services, biohazard waste, laundry service and surplus giveaway. The CSS is committed to finding solutions that balance the technical requirements of CSS procedures and the needs of our customers.

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Clara Christie Centre for Mouse Genomics (CCCMG)

Embryonic Stem Cell/ Targeted Mutagenesis Facility

We offer a number of services to accommodate your ES cell mutagenesis/transgenesis requirements. Your gene of interest may have already been mutated or conditionally disrupted via the numerous ES cell gene trapping and gene targeting resources that currently exist. If you are so lucky, we can assist you in acquiring the ES cell line and preparing it for blastocyst microinjection by Transgenic Services. If you need to target a transgene to the HPRT locus or disrupt your own gene, we can assist you with planning your targeting vector.

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Transgenics Core Facility

Transgenic Services operates in close concert with Embryonic Stem (ES) Cell Services and our Molecular Biology Core. We offer comprehensive transgenic services for University of Calgary investigators, as well as provincial and international collaborators.

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Molecular Biology Core Facility

In association with our Embryonic Stem Cell/Targeted Mutagenesis and Transgenic Core Facilities, the Molecular Biology Core offers designing, construction and preparation of vectors for the generation of genetically engineered mice. Additionally, the Molecular Biology Core offers CRISPR gene knock-out services for cell lines.

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Cumming School of Medicine


Clinical Research Unit

The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) is a core resource dedicated to support investigator-initiated health research in the Cumming School of Medicine. Specifically, it supports data acquisition, data management and analytics for all types of study designs involving primary and secondary health data, including surveys, health registries, clinical quality improvement programs, longitudinal data collection, multi centre randomized controlled trials and large administrative datasets. The CRU team includes data scientists, programmers, analysts, project managers and data research assistants.

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Experimental Imaging Centre (EIC)

High resolution MR and other imaging modalities makes it possible to carry out imaging in vivo at near cellular levels in model organisms without invasive procedures. Through the development of the EIC, the recruitment of the NRC satellite to the University of Calgary and the development of the Mouse Genome Centre, a unique opportunity for carrying out work in the cellular and molecular imaging area has emerged that can only be matched at a few other centres in North America.

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Flow Cytometry Core Facility

We provide comprehensive and technically sophisticated cell analysis and sorting services, and is committed to providing training and education for all users, who are encouraged to discuss their ideas, needs and problems with the staff. A user operated facility equipped with 2 ATTUNE cytometers is available 24 hours, 7days a week. Training on the ATTUNE cyotmeters is available for those people who would like to acquire and analyze their own data. In addition, reliable protocols for specific flow applications are available.

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Advanced Imaging and Microscopy (AIM) Network

This microscopy network connects experts and equipment spanning multiple institutes, provides standardized access and user fee plans to optical microscopes across the Cumming School of Medicine, and the broader University of Calgary and allied scientific communities. In doing so, the AIM network maximizes resource availability and enables more inclusive access to cutting edge technologies for all researchers.

  • ACHRI Imaging Lab
  • Charbonneau Microscopy Facility (CMF)
  • Live Cell Imaging Laboratory (LCI)
  • HBI Advanced Microscopy Platform (HBIAMP)

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Health Sciences Animal Resource Centre (HSARC)

The Animal Health Unit, under the direction of the Vice-President (Research), works to ensure the ethical and humane use and responsible care of animals in research, teaching, and testing at the University of Calgary in accordance to applicable laws, guidelines, and regulations.

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Centre for Health Genomics and Informatics

The Centre for Health Genomics and Informatics (CHGI) is a full service infrastructure platform offering Next-Generation DNA sequencing services and bioinformatics support to researchers across the University of Calgary. Researchers need only submit isolated genomic DNA or total RNA, and the Centre will perform the rest, including NGS library preparation, sequencing, and generation of lists of variants or expressed genes. We support a wide variety of NGS applications, from single cells sequencing to metagenomics, while keeping up-to-date with technological advancements in the industry.

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Micro CT Laboratory

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a non-destructive imaging technique that can be used to generate a 3D virtual model of an object. The applications of micro-CT are diverse, and range from morphological studies of biological tissues to evaluation of porosity in coal cores; however, the systems at the Micro-CT Laboratory are primarily engaged for the study of bone morphology. The Micro-CT Laboratory offers expertise in three dimensional (3D) measurement techniques and biometric techniques for characterization of shape variation.

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Microscopy & Imaging Facility (MIF)

The Microscopy and Imaging Facility (MIF) is a world-class university-wide facility housing transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), advanced light microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), including single cell force spectroscopy (SCFS), and advanced image processing for three-dimensional electron and light microscopy. We are open to internal and external users and provide service, training and expertise.

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Southern Alberta Mass Spectrometry (SAMS)

We combine optimized sample processing with tailored MS methods to deliver high quality protein identification data with a short turn-around time. This is our specialty. We can accommodate samples that present a wide range of complexity – from single proteins to sub-proteomes. We are available to assist in experiment design and help you get the most out of your data.

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University Core DNA Services

We are a multi-user core facility and provide custom oligonucleotide (DNA and RNA) synthesis and automated DNA sequencing and fragment analysis services to both academic and commercial researchers. These services are not restricted to the University of Calgary and are also available to external academic and commercial researchers.

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Mitogen Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory

Autoantibody Diagnostic Test Profiles.

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Clark H. Smith Brain Tumor Centre - Tumor Bank

The Clark H. Smith Tumour and Related Tissue Bank is a biorepository at the University of Calgary that was established with the goal of advancing cancer research. We assist basic, translational and clinical cancer research by collecting and providing high quality tumour and blood samples, and their derivative biomolecules, to investigators. Specializing in neurologic and pediatric diseases, the bank has provided material to investigators not only within Calgary but also nationally and internationally.

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Phenomics Core

The Snyder Institute Phenomics core is screening various KO strains as well as WT mice. We now have non-invasive whole body imaging of living mice to investigate skeletal and/or organ abnormalities, tracking of immune cells, tracking of bacterial dissemination/clearance, tumor growth and vascularization, pharmacological drug screening (Invivo Xtreme modalities: fluorescence, bioluminescence, radio-isotope labeling and X-ray visualization).

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Peptide Services

The University of Calgary's Peptide Services provide custom peptide synthesis to academia and commercial customers. We use automated and semi-automated peptide synthesizers, solid phase chemistry to offer both small and large scale peptide synthesis.

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Pediatric 3T Scanner ACHRI

The 3 Tesla (T) Magnetic Resonance (MR) Scanner at the Alberta Children's Hospital is one of the most advanced instruments available in Canada. The new wide-bore 3T MR scanner is a non-invasive, radiation-free technology and a first for a children's hospital in Canada

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Behavioural Core Facility (BCF)

The objectives of the facility are to provide quiet, clean rooms conducive to behaviour research (in the newly renovated first floor of the HSc), maintain equipment in proper and effective working order, and train, assist and educate users effectively.

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Faculty of Arts


Addictive Behaviors Laboratory

The Addictive Behaviours Laboratory (ABL) is headed by Dr. David C. Hodgins, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology. The ABL's primary focuses are substance abuse and gambling addiction. Projects in this lab are focused on various aspects of the psychology and physiology of gambling behavior. As well, research is conducted into the clinical condition of pathological gambling and potential treatment approaches

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Faculty of Kinesiology


Human Performance Laboratory

The primary objective of the Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) is to be the leader in both basic and applied research relating to human neuro - musculo - skeletal health and well-being, from birth to advanced age. From anatomy to muscle mechanics, from physiology to motor control, from biochemistry to biomechanics, from the molecular level to the person as a whole, all aspects are explored in an integrated and multidisciplinary approach. The facility and laboratory space were generously designed to allow for the expansion of personnel and research interests.

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Schulich School of Engineering


Advanced Micro/Nanosystems Integration Facility (AMIF)

The Advanced Micro/nanosystems Integration Facility (AMIF) is an open-access facility dedicated to providing cost-effective access to low-volume and custom micro- and nano-systems integration, packaging, and post-processing services together with expert consultation and training. AMIF's equipment set includes deposition (insulator and metal), spin coating, a full photolithography suite, wet and dry etching, as well as some metrology capability.

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Zymetrix (Bose Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Technology Development Centre)

With expertise in mechanical/materials testing and biomedical engineering, Zymetrix provides novel measurement and simulation platforms to test and characterize functional performance of biomaterials, medical devices, engineered tissues, and other industrial materials. Zymetrix is a GLP compliant, Biosafety Level 2 facility.

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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine


Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU)

The Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU) offers fee-for-service veterinary anatomic pathology and histopathology services to the veterinary community and researchers. The mission of the Diagnostic Services Unit is to advance the education, research and scholarly programs of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine through excellence in the development and delivery of diagnostic service. Our vision is to be the center of veterinary diagnostic excellence and innovation in Alberta.

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Libraries and Cultural Resources


The Visualization Studio

The Visualization Studio is a state-of-the-art digital facility created to support faculty and graduate researchers. Its primary feature is a high-resolution display wall with surround sound. The studio is designed to provide researchers with significant visual real estate for working with digital information. The display's 34.5 million pixels allow for insight and overview that is impossible to achieve with a desktop monitor or standard projector.

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Digital Media Commons

The Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL) Digital Media Commons consists of space and technology for students, faculty and the public to explore emerging digital collections, high-end Apple hardware, edit suites, touch tables, cutting edge gaming PCs, retro and contemporary gaming consoles and software. It facilitates and provides support for exploration and creation of new media forms such as animation, soundscapes, graphics design, and digital video and maintaining a progressive position in new media applications within an academic environment.

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Office of the Vice-President (Research)


Advancing Canadian Water Assets (ACWA)

ACWA is a partnership between The City of Calgary and the University of Calgary that supports research and development, knowledge transfer, de-risking and piloting of leading-edge wastewater treatment technologies. 

At ACWA, interdisciplinary teams of researchers and technology developers can confidently push the boundaries of science and technology. Receiving environment effects and diagnostic markers can be developed and measured in 12 naturalized, replicated experimental streams. The facility is integrated into The City of Calgary’s Pine Creek wastewater treatment plant.

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