The Department of Physiology and Biophysics provides shared facilities that help faculty and trainees pursue research across scales, from molecular interactions and cellular processes to organ function and disease models. The Biophysics Core offers tools for studying the properties and interactions of biological molecules. The Advanced Imaging & Instrumentation Platform supports the visualization and measurement of biological structures and processes, while the Preclinical In Vivo Research Hub enables studies of physiology and disease in living systems. These resources provide access to specialized equipment and expertise, support hands-on training and foster collaborations that advance discovery.
Protein Biophysics and Structural Biology Core (PBSBC)
The Protein Biophysics and Structural Biology Core (PBSBC), located within the Department of Physiology and Biophysics (DPB), is a state-of-the-art shared facility providing researchers with a comprehensive range of protein biophysical and structural biology capabilities. Our core expertise is centered on understanding biomolecular interactions with proteins, DNA, RNA, small molecules, and Ag/Ab , binding affinity and kinetics, thermodynamic properties, protein stability, folding, oligomerization, and structural changes.
The PBSBC provides access to a diverse suite of complementary technologies, including
- Biacore T200 (Cytiva) for real-time analysis of binding kinetics and affinity by surface plasmon resonance (SPR, Cytiva);
- SEC-MALS (Waters) for determining molecular weight, oligomeric state, and solution behavior;
- ITC-200 (Malvern) for quantitative measurement of binding thermodynamics, affinity and stoichiometry;
- MicroScale Thermophoresis (MST, NanoTemper) for sensitive analysis of molecular interactions in solution;
- Circular dichroism (CD, JASCO) for evaluating protein secondary structure, folding, and thermal stability.
Together, these approaches enable researchers to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of protein behavior and molecular mechanisms.
Beyond instrumentation, the PBSBC supports researchers throughout the experimental process. We offer sample drop-off services, hands-on instrument training, experimental consultation, and technical support, helping users select appropriate biophysical approaches, design experiments, troubleshoot assays, and interpret results. The core also provides protein purification support using the ÄKTA pure 25 system, enabling researchers to obtain and characterize purified proteins for downstream biophysical studies.
As an open, shared-use facility, the PBSBC serves researchers at different levels of experience—from investigators who need a complete experimental service to those who want hands-on access to instrumentation. Our goal is to provide not only advanced technology, but also the expertise and experimental support needed to answer important questions about protein structure, stability, and molecular interactions.
The In Vivo Animal Core
The In Vivo and Preclinical Research Hub in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics is an open, shared-use facility that supports researchers at all levels of experience. Whether investigators need a full-service experimental partner or hands-on access to specialized instrumentation, the Hub provides the advanced technologies and expert guidance needed to support high-quality in vivo and preclinical research.
The Hub’s mission is to advance investigations into the mechanisms underlying normal physiology and the pathophysiology of human disease. To support this work, the facility offers state-of-the-art capabilities for monitoring a wide range of physiologic and biochemical parameters in animal models. These include cardiovascular structure and function assessed by echocardiography and Doppler ultrasound, as well as blood pressure, heart rate, and EKG measurements in conscious animals. The Hub also supports blood gas analysis, urinalysis, and measurement of plasma electrolytes and metabolites.
In addition, the Hub provides expertise and infrastructure for investigators developing animal models of human disease using both surgical and non-surgical approaches. These capabilities support studies of cardiovascular, renal, and neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, among other areas of translational relevance.
Researchers have access to surgical suites and a broad range of advanced instrumentation, including:
Heska HemaTrue Hematology Analyzer
Biospherix OxyCycler Environmental Chambers
Heska DRI-CHEM Blood Chemistry Analyzer
Nova STAT PROFILE Prime Blood Gas Analyzer
DSI and Kent Scientific Rodent Radiotelemetry and Tail-Cuff Systems
Columbus Instruments Metabolic Cage Systems
Columbus Instruments Oxymax Metabolic Treadmill
FUJIFILM VisualSonics Vevo Preclinical Imaging System
ADInstruments Transonic Flowmetry
Together, these resources provide an optimal environment for highly mechanistic and translational research that advances understanding of physiology in health and disease.
Core Director Dr. Patrick Osei-Owusu
Imaging Core
Our state-of-the-art microscopy suite provides researchers with advanced imaging capabilities to support a wide range of cellular, molecular, and structural biological studies.
Whether you are capturing high-resolution 3D cellular structures, probing membrane dynamics, or performing rapid live-cell imaging, our suite is equipped to advance your research.
Our Equipment
Our facility houses a comprehensive suite of advanced microscopes and accessories to meet
diverse experimental needs:
Olympus FV3000 and FV1000 Confocal Microscopes: High-performance point-scanning
confocal systems designed for deep tissue imaging, high-resolution optical sectioning, and
detailed 3D rendering of complex biological structures.
FV3000 Specifications: Features a Hybrid scan unit (galvanometer and resonant
scanners) for high-speed precision, 4-channel TruSpectral detection (including 2
High-Sensitivity cooled GaAsP PMTs), and a 6-line laser combiner (405, 445, 488,
514, 561, and 640 nm). The system is equipped with an ultrasonic scanning stage
and cellSens TruSight 3D Deconvolution software. A full range of high-performance
objectives is available, including 10x, 20x, 40x, 60x (Oil and Silicone), and a newly
added 100x objective.
Spinning-Disk Confocal Microscope: A multi-modal imaging system (Widefield, Confocal,
and Super-Resolution) featuring the Yokogawa CSU-W1 spinning disk. It is ideal for several microscopy studies, particularly those involving time-lapse live cell/tissue imaging, super-
resolution, membrane and intracellular trafficking, photo-bleaching, fast calcium events, FRET assays, and 3D rendering. It provides rapid, high-speed image acquisition up to 200
frames per second with minimal phototoxicity.
Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscope:
Specialized for investigating events at the cell surface, such as membrane dynamics, vesicle trafficking, and single-molecule localization with exceptional signal-to-noise ratios.
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) Microscope: Enables advanced quantitative
measurements of fluorophore microenvironments, protein-protein interactions (via FRET),
and cellular metabolic states. Features FastFLIM electronics, high-sensitivity PMT
detectors, VistaVision analysis software, and custom laser integration with the FV1000.
Keyence BZ-X710 All-in-One Fluorescence Microscope: A versatile, fully automated, and user-friendly system equipped for both wide-field fluorescence and high-quality bright-
field microscopy, perfect for streamlining routine imaging and tissue section analysis.
Live-Cell Environmental Control: A TokaiHit stagetop incubator is available for use on the confocal microscopes, allowing for precise environmental control during long-term live-cell imaging experiments.
Facility Access & Training
For general Facility Access & Training, please contact Dr. Fraser Moss and Dr. Rajesh
Ramachandran.
For Spinning-Disk Confocal Microscope access, please contact Dr. Patrick Osei-Owusu.
Reservations & Scheduling: Access to calendars to schedule reservations for microscope usage
will be given upon completion of formal training with an Olympus representative.
The Case Western Reserve School of Medicine also contains over 40 service centers providing research services and technologies to CWRU and external investigators. You can find more information on the SOM Core Facilities page.