Computational resources
In collaboration with the Lariat project, the Center for Computational biology has obtained an SGI Altix, with 14 processors and 13 Gigabytes of addressable memory to address all manner of complex computational problems. Add to this several MPI-compiled programs and programming languages, it can solve a great deal of complex research problems that would take weeks in a matter of hours.
What's more, in collaboration with the MSU High Perfomance Computing group and The Lariat Project, we are happy to offer this resource free of charge to the MSU community. More Details Here
We also host several other high-end computational machines, all of which have access to a wide variety of software packages, including Matlab 2006b, MPI-python, Fortran compilers, Ruby, NEURON, Star-P.
In order to provide the best support and training for this complex array of computational resources, we have a dedicated and senior administration staff actively engaging in services such as system administration, software support and training.
Microscopy resources
The CCB houses a variety of state-of-the-art equipment for acquiring and
analyzing images of biological samples. Of particular importance is a new Leica
TCS/SP laser scanning confocal microscopy system, interfaced to dedicated
computational cluster. This instrument is equipped with mixed-gas argon/krypton and HeNe
laser excitation sources, and incorporates a prism-based spectrophotometer head
with truly spectacular capabilities in terms of light efficiency and
flexibility. Throughput is as good or better than filter-based systems, but
unlike filters, the user can select three spectral detection windows with
complete software control of the bandpass and center wavelength. This makes the
system ideally suited to imaging GFP fluorescence from dim samples, as the
detection bandpass can be optimized for the most sensitive detection of GFP and
most efficient rejection of background signals on a sample-by-sample basis. With
the planned, near-term acquisition of a Ti:sapphire-based multiphoton excitation
source, this confocal microscope will match or exceed the capabilities of any
instrument available, and will be an ideal platform for exploring the
capabilities of confocal microscopy in the detection of single fluorophores in
living cells.
This confocal 'scope is equipped with a closed-loop, high-precision 3-D mechanical stage for advanced quantitative morphometry.
Neurophysiology resources
Drs. Miller and Jacobs have a variety of advanced electrophysiology equipment
available for their students and postdocs. Four rigs are set up, each configured
with unique capabilities. Capabilities include:
Finally, a collaboration is underway with Dr. Ross Snider in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Dept. to develop a new opto-electronic-based system to allow on-line acquisition and analysis of massive electrophysiological data streams.