Charles F. Streckfus, D.D.S.
1978, University of Maryland School of Dental Surgery
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Dental Branch
Department of Diagnostic Sciences
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Charles F. Streckfus, D.D.S. 1978, University of Maryland School of Dental Surgery The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
Research Interests:
The focus of the Tutorial Laboratory is to provide students with a basic understanding of the laboratory equipment and how it relates to both clinical and basic science research. Currently, there are four research laboratories located on the fourth floor of the UT Dental Branch which are dedicated to both clinical and basic science research. The students are first introduced to a review of laboratory ethics and regulatory compliance (e.g., IRB, OSHA, etc.). A brief overview of experimental design is also provided.
The students are then assigned a project which exposes them to the operation of any or all the following laboratory equipmentany: a Multiskan plate reader, PCR, BioPlex Suspension Array system, microplate auto washer, reciprocal water bath, speed vacuum, ultracentrifuge, pH meter, orbital shaker, pipettes, 4 ultra-low freezers with bar coded specimen identification system, fume hoods, RNA/DNA counter, equipment for performing 1 & 2d gels and Western blot procedures with a VersaDoc imaging system. The facilities also possess equipment to perform cellular studies. The laboratory is equipped with an inverted microscope, hood and cell incubator. The facility is also equipped with 2 Dell desktop computers that contain software for operating the laboratory equipment and for maintaining a laboratory quality control program. The laboratory is manned by two full time Sr. Research Associates. These laboratories also closely collaborate with the UT Medical School, Proteomics Division located on the fourth floor of the School of Medicine. The students will be further exposed to the operation of the LC-MS/MS mass spectrometer.
After their training, the students are allowed to complete the laboratory aspect of their assigned project. If the project is completed in a professional manner resulting in publishable information, the student will receive further exposure to data analyses and will write the methodology portion of her/his project. This report will be included in a manuscript and the student will be given co-authorship on the project.