The Molecular Biology Core Laboratory is CLOSED

As a result of the actions of Dr. James Willson, Director of the Ireland Comprehensive Cancer Center, both written and verbal,the Molecular Biology Core Laboratory (MBCL) will be closing its doors at the end of July. At this point in time, it is not certain which of the MBCL services will be continued, but it is hoped that all of them will be. We will provide you with updates about the services as they develop.

At this juncture, I would like to thank all who have supported the MBCL. Initially, this was Drs. Richard Hanson and Fritz Rottman who were instrumental in acquiring the funds to establish the MBCL. Secondly, I would like to thank all of the researchers who donated their time and effort to obtain the instrumentation that is in the MBCL, especially Dr. Stuart Le Grice and Dr. Charles Hoppel who both supported the acquisition of several instruments. Third, special thanks go to the centers which have afforded support to the MBCL, the Cancer Center (under the direction of Dr. Nathan Berger), the CFAR (under the direction of Dr. Stuart Le Grice), NEOMAC (under Dr. Thomas Hering as the director of the molecular biology core for NEOMAC), and SDRC (under the direction of Dr. Kevin Cooper). Lastly, I would like to thank the MBCL user group for its patience and support over the last 13 years.

While there may be a more formal opportunity to thank the staff of the MBCL for their efforts, least you be busy or away from the University at that time, at your next opportunity please extend your appreciation for a job well done to Ms. Cheryl Owens, Mr. Patrick Klepcyk, and Ms. Vjosha Dreshaj. Ms. Owens has been with the MBCL for ten years and in that time has mastered the operation and repair of a wide variety of scientific instruments and has been the mainstay for amino acid analysis and protein sequencing. She has also been the glue that held the facility together. Mr. Klepcyk has been with the MBCL for just a few years and in that time has taken DNA sequencing to its highest levels. Ms. Dreshaj has been our premier oligonucleotide synthesis person and has filled in for a number of MBCL functions, not the least of which has been the dreaded paperwork. It has been these wonderful people that have made the MBCL the facility what it has been. As I can not thank them enough, hopefully you will help me in this effort.

Sincerely yours,

William C. Merrick

Director, MBCL

Professor of Biochemistry