Research Cores at MUSC

Advancing and supporting biomedical research with deep expertise and state-of-the-art instrumentation.

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Supporting investigators inside and outside of MUSC.

MUSC offers a wide array of research cores that provide state-of-the-art instrumentation and specialized expertise to support innovative biomedical research, ranging from basic to translational science. These cores are available to investigators both within and outside the institution. Most cores operate on a charge-back basis, with varying levels of institutional support from the University, Hollings Cancer Center (HCC), centers such as COBREs, colleges, or departments. While many interactions with cores are service-based, others involve close collaboration, particularly when developing new technologies or methodologies. To learn more about a specific core’s services, instrumentation, pricing, and contact details, please visit the individual core’s web page. Service requests may be managed through a variety of platforms, including the Core Management System Infinity, SPARC Request, Calpendo, or direct email, depending on the core. If you plan to include core services in a grant application, it is essential to consult the core director in advance. This ensures the core can provide the services you need and allows time to develop an accurate budget.

Research cores at MUSC are overseen by Dr. Lauren Ball and are reviewed annually by the MUSC Cores Committee.

To view a list of MUSC Research Core equipment, please click here. List updated 6/13/25.

For more information about research cores at MUSC, please contact:
Lauren Ball, Ph.D., at ballle@musc.edu or 843-792-4513.

Core Administration

Where are you in your research process?

Doing Research

Our cores

Explore the full range of MUSC’s research cores, facilities, and shared resources available across the University and Hollings Cancer Center. Whether you're seeking specialized instrumentation, technical expertise, or collaborative support, our cores are here to accelerate your research.

Analytical Redox Biology

Provides methods to detect and measure various antioxidant enzyme activities as a function of oxidant stress/antioxidant protection equilibrium.

Bioenergetics Profiling

Supports MUSC investigators in the characterization of metabolites and bioenergetics fluxes related to oxidants, intracellular redox, and primary energy metabolism.

Biorepository & Tissue Analysis (BTA)

A National Cancer Institute CCSG-supported shared resource providing access to meticulously collected and annotated human specimens as well as advanced human and animal tissue analyses.

Biostatistics Collaborative Unit

A university-wide resource providing expert consultation in biostatistics, bioinformatics, and epidemiology

Biostatistics Shared Resource (BSR)

Provides statistical support to basic scientists, clinical investigators, behavioral scientists, and epidemiologists involved in cancer research.

Brain Stimulation (BSTIM)

Supports world-class brain stimulation research through training, quality control and enables the development of patient-specific rehabilitation and improved outcomes after stroke.

Cancer Integrated Data Enabled Resource

The Cancer Integrated Data Enabled Resource (CIDER) provides data services to pinpoint areas of need for South Carolinians.

Cell & Molecular Imaging (CMI)

Provides users with the sophisticated equipment, technologies, training, and expertise required for successful, state-of-the-art cell and tissue-based microscopic imaging and image analysis.

Cell Evaluation & Therapy

Offers investigators comprehensive analytic flow cytometry and high-speed cell sorting services and the capacity to generate human cellular and tissue-based products for use in translational research. Consists of the Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting Unit and the Center for Cellular Therapy.

Center for Biomedical Imaging

Supports two MRI systems for both human imaging and preclinical studies, both 100% dedicated to research and operated by highly trained staff.

Computational Brain Imaging

Provides a high throughput, functional MRI (fMRI) preprocessing service.

Data Coordination Unit

Provides assistance with the design of clinical trials and analysis of their data and in establishing, implementing and maintaining data and project management systems for multicenter clinical trials.

Division of Lab Animal Resources

Provides consistently high standards of laboratory animal care and promotes the welfare and stewardship of animals used in biomedical research.

Drug Discovery

A specialized resource providing tools, facilities, and expertise for early drug discovery and chemical biology.

Gnotobiotic Animal

Offers investigators a unique opportunity to address research questions that require the use of gnotobiotic animals.

Health Data Research and Methods

Maintains a registry of resource-rich data sets from national, statewide and regional sources.

Histology & Immunohistochemistry

Assists basic science and clinical study investigators in preparing specimens for processing as paraffin embedded or frozen samples, sectioning the samples, providing histochemical staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining as needed.

Lipidomics

Composed of analytical and synthesis units with expertise in sphingolipid chemistry, analysis, and biology. Provides intellectual and physical resources to enhance the understanding of bioactive sphingolipids and lipids in signal transduction and cell regulation.

Mass Spectrometry

Providing expertise, services, education, and state-of-the-art instrumentation to enhance biomedical research endeavors through LC-MS/MS-based proteomics.

Molecular Analytics

Provides investigators with expertise, instrumentation, training, and services for a range of molecular technologies, including a Bioanalyzer service for qualitative analysis of eukaryotic total RNA and quantitative analysis of DNA libraries.

Mouse Behavioral Phenotyping

Provides the equipment, expertise, service and training for testing a range of common mouse behaviors.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

NMR spectroscopy is a solution-based technique used to probe the structure and dynamics of molecules, ranging from small molecules to proteins. The NMR facility at MUSC comprises three spectrometers with field strengths of 400 and 600.

Quantitative Behavioral Testing & Rehabiliation (QBAR)

Builds on four established laboratories within the College of Health Professions that provide state-of-the-art measurements of behavioral function and rehabilitation interventions in persons with hemiparesis post-stroke.

shRNA

Provides access to genome wide human & mouse libraries that encode a total of almost 160,000 shRNA clones against over 41,000 genes.

Small Animal Imaging

Provides imaging support for biomedical research, including bioluminescence, fluorescence, and ultrasound imaging.

Tissue Culture Facility (TCF)

Offers commonly used reagents to maintain primary and established cell lines, in addition to offering over 450 cell lines, authenticated by NIH standards.

Transgenic & Genome Editing

Provides the physical and intellectual resources for generating genetically engineered mice and rats.

Translational Science Lab

Facilitates the translation of basic science research to the clinical setting and vice versa with the intention of improving diagnosis and treatment strategies for cancer patients.