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Virginia Tech Service Centers and Research Resources

3D Scanning Studio

University Libraries
Newman Library, Room 2010

The 3D Scanning Studio provides digitization of real-world objects with state-of-the-art equipment. In this space, you can bring your projects from the physical world to digital realms. Located on the second floor of Newman Library, the studio accepts all patrons of the University Libraries.

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Advanced Research Computing

Torgersen Hall, Room 3050

Advanced Research Computing provides centralized support for research computing by building, operating, and promoting the use of advanced cyberinfrastructure at Virginia Tech. It seeks to maximize research productivity at through interdisciplinary collaborations that connect researchers to new opportunities in computing and data-driven research. Advanced Research Computing also provides a competitive advantage to Virginia Tech research in obtaining external research support, while delivering a comprehensive ecosystem consisting of advanced computational systems, large-scale data storage, visualization facilities, software, and consulting services.

Contact

  • Kevin Shinpaugh, Director of Advanced Research Computing Operations | kashin@vt.edu

Analytical Chemistry Research Lab

College of Veterinary Medicine, Lab 217

Services available to all Virginia Tech and external clients:

  • Waters Xevo TQD UPLC-MS/MS and Agilent 6890 GC-MS for chromatographic separation and identification/quantitation of organic molecules
  • Agilent 7900 ICP-MS for quantitative determination of trace metals
  • Anton Parr Multiwave GO microwave digestion system
  • Full wet lab capabilities to work safely with both organic solvents and inorganic acids
  • Acid fume hoods capable of safely handling standard digestion acids (HNO3, HCl, H2SO4, etc.) as well as hydrofluoric acid (HF) and perchloric acid (HClO4)

Contact

  • McAlister Council-Troche, Laboratory Manager | rmct@vt.edu | 540-231-4835

Chemistry Research Stockroom

College of Science
Chemistry department
Davidson Hall, Room 171

Supports research activity and undergraduate teaching labs in the chemistry department and beyond on the Virginia Tech campus. We maintain a steady inventory of research supplies ranging from liquid nitrogen and dry ice to commonly used solvents and common lab supplies such as gloves and kim wipes. We help coordinate shipping and the receiving of all packages done through the Chemistry Stockroom.

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Chromatography Center

College of Science
Chemistry department
Hahn Hall South, Room 1001

The Chromatography center is capable of extraction, separation, detection, and quantification of complex organic mixtures from different matrices such as gas, solid, or liquid. The lab is facilitated with different chromatography instruments (HPLC, GC, SFC). The detection of separated compounds is based on the organic characteristic of the molecules. Available detectors are UV, FL, RI, MS, and ELSD. For more information please contact the lab director.

Contact

  • Mehdi Ashraf-Khorassani, Laboratory Manager | mashraf@vt.edu | 540-231-8221  

Electron Microscopy Laboratory

College of Veterinary Medicine, Lab 242

Supports teaching and research across the Virginia Tech community. The EM lab provides technical service and training in electron microscopy and offers sample preparation of biological and non-biological specimens for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and principal investigators across Virginia Tech are frequent users of the services and facilities.

Contact

  • 540-231-4811

Flow Cytometry Resource Laboratory

College of Veterinary Medicine, Room 221
Steger Hall, Room 202

Flow cytometry is an essential and versatile analytical tool with numerous applications in basic research and clinical medicine. It can rapidly measure multiple characteristics of thousands of individual cells, thus quantifying different types of cells in complex, heterogeneous populations. The additional capability of cell sorting enables investigators to purify or enrich a particular cell type from a mixed population, allowing their further study. Email Melissa to schedule appointments.

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Food Producer Technical Assistance Lab

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Food Science and Technology Department Human and Agricultural Biosciences Building 1 (HABB1), Room 471

The Food Producer Technical Assistance Lab has equipment to measure food safety-related parameters, such as pH, water activity (aw), degrees Brix (temperature controlled) and titratable acidity (as acetic acid). The lab can work on almost any food matrix to measure these parameters in a cost-effective manner with quick turnaround and professionally-written reports, where desired or necessary. Additionally, laboratory personnel can provide processing guidance for creating safe, high-quality food products for retail and wholesale markets, assist with food product labeling guidelines and create nutrition facts panels for food products.

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Fralin Imaging Center

Fralin Life Sciences Institute
Fralin Hall, Room 004

State-of-the-art Zeiss LSM 880 confocal laser scanning microscope is available to Virginia Tech researchers through the Fralin Imaging Center on a fee-for-use basis. An Axio Observer Z1 inverted microscope for fluorescence or brightfield microscopy is available for use at no charge.

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Genomics Sequencing Center

Fralin Life Sciences Institute
Steger Hall

The Genomics Sequencing Center is a dedicated multi-user resource for the development and application of state-of-the-art, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies. GSC is a “one-stop shop” providing rapid, cost-effective project planning and execution, and genomic, transcriptomic, and functional-genomics services. The center offers the necessary combination of highly-skilled molecular biologists and the latest in NGS technologies to help research clients realize successful end goals. The 6,500 sq. ft. NGS center houses the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 and NextSeq, MiSeq, library prep, and liquid dispensing robots; ABI 3730XL for Sanger sequencing; and ABI’s ViiA7 for qPCR. The GSC specializes in customizing NGS services to suit investigators’ needs.

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GlycoMIP User Facility

Fralin Life Sciences Institute
Steger Hall, Rooms 302-310

The GlycoMIP user facility at offers a large suite of instruments and services for the synthesis and characterization of glycomaterials - materials comprised of or containing carbohydrates. As an NSF Materials Innovation Platform (MIP), use of the facility is free (or nearly free) for non-proprietary research services. Please visit the GlycoMIP website for a list of equipment.

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Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Metals Analysis Lab

College of Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering department
Durham Hall, Room 483

The service center uses a Thermo Electron iCAP RQ ICPMS to analyze water samples for metals concentrations in aqueous solutions.

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Laboratory Animal Facilities

Life Sciences 1, Integrated Life Sciences Building, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Laboratory Animal Facility

Laboratory animal housing and care; laboratory animal research support services.

Contact

  • David Schabdach, Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation, Laboratory Animal Resources; Attending Veterinarian | dschab85@vt.edu | 540-232-8747

Mass Spectrometry Incubator

Fralin Life Sciences Institute
Steger Hall

The incubator supports Virginia Tech’s research infrastructure as a mass spectrometry analysis and education center. The facility provides the tools and skills needed for answering key questions in chemical and life sciences research including metabolite and protein-based investigations (metabolomics and proteomics).

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Materials Characterization Lab

Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science
Macromolecules Innovation Institute
Kelly Hall, Room 420

MCL is a shared research facility operated by the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science and the Macromolecules Innovation Institute, with support from the Office of Research and Innovation. MCL is a centralized core facility equipped with a range of advanced instrumentation for materials characterization, as well as sample preparation and fabrication. The MCL will facilitate new discoveries in materials science and spark interdisciplinary collaborations within and beyond the Virginia Tech research community. There is no charge for internal Virginia Tech researchers to use the facility. For external users, short-term projects for materials characterization are developed under the Virginia Tech Technical Assistance program.

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Media Recording Studio

University Libraries
Newman Library, Room 209

The studio is a bookable space for library patrons to create or co-create various types of media independently or with help from our staff. Use our variety of hardware and software to record videos, record audio and music, and edit or produce your project on our computer workstations.

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Metabolism Core

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise department
Integrated Life Sciences Building, Room 1051

The Metabolism Core at Virginia Tech offers sophisticated in-vivo and in-vitro experimental tools to internal and external investigators at competitive rates.

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Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Lab

Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science
1991 Kraft Dr., Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Building 23

The laboratory is an initiative of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science at Virginia Tech. The facility is equipped with more than $10 million in highly specialized equipment, more than half of which was made possible through funding provided by Commonwealth Research Initiative. It seeks to help researchers investigate novel phenomena and build transforming technologies that solve critical challenges. The Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory provides: - Access to advanced equipment for electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and several spectroscopic techniques - Training for students and researchers in the use of the lab’s instrumentation - Short courses and characterization services for industry.

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NMR Spectroscopy

Chemistry department
Hahn Hall South, Rooms 002, 004, 006

The purpose of the NMR facility is to serve the Virginia Tech research community, other academic users, the state of Virginia, and all other interested parties, in designing experiments, elucidating structures, training students, and analyzing data. Collaborations are encouraged that will lead to publications, proposals, and funding. This NMR Facility has capabilities for solution-state, solid-state, diffusion, and imaging NMR. It features seven NMR systems ranging from 300 MHz to 600 MHz.

Contact

  • Ken Knott, Manager of Analytical Facilities and the NMR Center | kknott@vt.edu | 540-231-0885
  • N. Murthy, NMR Spectroscopist | nmrns@vt.edu | 540-231-8256

Project Design Studio

University Libraries
Newman Library, currently Room 2038 but will likely move to Room 419

The Project Design Studio (previously called Fusion Studio) was envisioned as a space to support student teams engaging in collaborative projects. Universities are increasingly asking their students to engage in project-based learning, develop new technologies, and become entrepreneurs. Project Design Studio was created with the following goals:

  • Provide a consistent workspace for students engaging in collaborative work
  • Offer the material, monetary, and human support those students need to succeed
  • Help students develop the skills and mindsets necessary for successful collaboration
  • Build a community that supports students as they engage in the high-risk, high-reward work of creativity
  • Create a safe environment to engage in creative risk taking and serious play.

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Prototyping Studio

University Libraries
Newman Library, Room 430

The Prototyping Studio is an advanced makerspace on the fourth floor of Newman Library. The space offers tools and equipment to work with 3D Printing, electronics, laser cutting, CNC, vacuum forming, clay modeling, sewing, and screen printing. The Studio will also offer a wide array of hand tools so you can make anything you dream of, and best of all, it is all free for the community. A list of tools can be found on our website.

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Soil Testing Laboratory

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Smyth Hall, Room 145

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES) analysis of extracts of soil, plant and other materials for the concentrations of up to 36 elements.

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Statistical Applications & Innovations Group (SAIG)

College of Science
Statistics department

Our statistical collaborators are trained to help researchers design experiments, analyze and plot data, run statistical software, interpret results, and communicate statistical concepts to non-statisticians. Our assistance is free for Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and students on academic research projects.

Studios Technology Lending Desk

University Libraries
Torgersen Bridge

The Studios Technology Lending Desk offers various pieces of equipment for members of the Virginia Tech campus community to check out for free. Use our variety of hardware and software to create or co-create all kinds of media projects, including video, audio, and other multimedia. We also have a large collection of research devices, laptops, and other speciality equipment, so if you are looking for something specific, check our website to see the full inventory.

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Study Design and Statistics Laboratory

College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Medicine Phase 2

Design, planning, and implementation of research projects, data management and analysis, evaluation, and presentation of data and information.

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Surface Analysis Lab

College of Science
Chemistry department
Hahn Hall South, Room 008

Contemporary surface analysis techniques, featuring the latest PHI VersaProbe III Scanning XPS Microscope, and Ph.D. scientists with over 10 years of experience; you are guaranteed prompt, specialized, state-of-the-art services.

Contact

  • Nick Popczun, Research Scientist | njp@vt.edu | 540-231-6604

Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery Screening Laboratory

College of Science
Chemistry and Biochemistry departments
Engel Hall, Room 301

Assists researchers in developing and performing high-throughput cell-based or biochemical assays in a microplate format. Liquid-handling instrumentation includes an Agilent Bravo platform, various liquid dispensers, and a platewasher capable of performing ELISAs and working with adherent cells. Detection is usually done with a Molecular Devices M5 platereader capable of determining absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, fluorescence polarization, TRF, and HTRF. The facility is available to the Virginia Tech community; users have access to over 45,000 chemical compounds for testing.

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Virginia Tech Crystallography Lab

College of Science
Chemistry and Geosciences departments
Integrated Life Sciences Building, Room 2050

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction services.

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Virtual Environments Studio

University Libraries
Newman Library, Room 4020

The studio is a series of 3 rooms that facilitate the full range of experiences for people interested in immersive environments. The first room is a computer lab with bookable seats that students can use to develop VR and AR experiences. Once a project is further along, developers may want to move to the second room, where room tracking is set up and a higher-end PC is made available. The third space is for advanced development and research projects. This full-room-tracked space also offers motion capture, volumetric capture, 3D audio, and mixed reality recording hardware and software. A full list of equipment is available on our website.

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ViTALS (Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services)

College of Veterinary Medicine
245 Duckpond Drive, Blacksburg, VA

AAVLD accredited full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory offering histology, cytopathology, blood gas, urinalysis, hematology, chemistry, bacteriology, molecular diagnostics, parasitology, immunology, and diagnostic necropsy.

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Water Quality Laboratory

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Engineering
Human and Agricultural Biosciences Building 1, Room 358

The laboratory analyses for a variety of water quality parameters including bacteria presence/absence, anions, carbon, and nutrients.

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