FY22 Facility Rates now active: After an initial delay, our FY22 rates are now fully approved and are retroactively taking effect beginning Oct 1, 2021.  All new rates are posted HERE.  This is the first rate increase PMF has experienced since July 2019 (start of FY20) and represents updated reagent and instrument service costs over the last 2 years.  Some rates increased while others decreased slightly due to ever changing reagent costs.  New rates include those for our newly installed Orbitrap Eclipse Tribrid proteomics instrument (soon to be available for PMF users – we are now in the initial benchmarking phase) and the introduction of PMF-assisted rates for the Synapt G2Si and Xevo G2-XS instruments.  Previously, these two mass spectrometers were available for user-operation only, but we are now offering full-service or assisted usage for those that would prefer this option.

New Policy for User-Operation Instrument Reservations:  As of November 18, 2021 all instrument reservations for the Synapt G2Si and Xevo G2-XS instruments must be requested using the new “Reservation Request Form” located on the PMF website HERE.  The new online form will provide me and Jen with all of the information necessary so that we can finalize reservation schedules and accurately prepare the instrumentation prior to each new appointment.  This will cut down substantially on the number of emails we need to respond to daily by providing all required details in one simple form.  You should be aware that the form requires the inclusion of KFS (Storrs) or Banner Account (UConn Health/TIP) information which will be used to process all instrument usage.  This will help us save time tracking down these accounts well after the experiments are finished and allow us to process billing events much faster.  Our policy on billable usage time has not changed: you will only be charged for the time used for acquired experiments, not for the requested reservation time.

Please direct any questions to Jeremy or Jen (contact information can be found HERE).

The UConn Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility (PMF) is excited to announce our first joint data analysis workshop with UConn Statistical Consulting Services (SCS)!  This in-person, 2-day course will include a mixture of in-depth lectures and hands-on data analysis exercises in R using complex proteomics datasets.  Due to the limited time available for room reservations and the need to cover complex details of bioinformatic analysis in a short period of time, this workshop is specifically designed for UConn scientists that already have an introductory understanding of current mass spectrometry-based methodologies and data analysis options for quantitative proteomics.  As a result, users with previous experience with proteomics analysis in PMF (or elsewhere) will be given priority.  Because the course will involve hands-on analysis exercises, all participants must supply their own laptop for the workshop.  The course will be presented by UConn PMF Director Jeremy Balsbaugh, Ph.D., PMF Facility Scientist Jen Liddle, Ph.D., and UConn SCS Director, Tim Moore, Ph.D.  To register, click HERE!

UConn Proteomics Users: As of early April 2021, PMF has upgraded to Scaffold Q+S v 5.0.0.  From this point forward, all new proteomics results will be uploaded into this version and will not be accessible using older versions of Scaffold Q+S Viewer that you may currently have installed.  Please visit this website to get the newest version.  The newest upgrade features a new logo and new graphics throughout, but keeps the same base functionalities to help you make the most of your quantitative proteomics data.  Proteome Software specified that backward compatibility should be maintained (e.g. all previously generated files can be opened with Scaffold Q+S Viewer v5).  Contact us with any questions.

UConn PMF will be operating with limited hours during the period beginning Thursday, Dec 24th through Friday, Jan 1.  Instrument reservations can be made with enough lead time and are subject to PMF faculty work schedules.  Full facility operations will resume Monday, Jan 4.  Happy holidays to all!

As of today (December 10, 2020), we have fully integrated the Waters Xevo G2-XS q-TOF mass spectrometer and Acquity H-Class UPLC instruments into UConn PMF!  If you’re interested in receiving training on this instrument, contact the Facility Director with your availability.  Please be aware that training sessions may be modified or delayed due to current in-person gathering restrictions at UConn.  Previous users of the Xevo G2-XS and Acquity UPLC can contact the Facility Director for next steps.  Unassisted analysis rates can be found here.

A new page “Featured Publications” has been added to our website to highlight important peer-reviewed research made possible by the instrumentation and expertise in UConn PMF.  This page will be updated regularly.  We are in the midst of compiling a comprehensive list of publications that include analytical experiments conducted in PMF.  If your publication(s) are not yet included, email the Facility Director to have yours added!

After a chaotic few weeks, the entirety of UConn PMF now exists in the Pharmacy/Biology Building at 69 N Eagleville Rd!  The main wet laboratory space can now be found in room 513.  Facility Director Jeremy Balsbaugh’s office is now located in room 531.  COVID19-related gathering restrictions prevent us from holding an Open House to show all of you the new space, but we look forward to seeing you for project-related appointments soon!

I am equally excited to announce that Jen Liddle, Ph.D. has joined UConn PMF in August and is now actively participating in new PMF projects.  Check out her short bio on our About Us page.  I look forward to introducing her to all of you in person soon.

In accordance with UConn OVPR directives, COR²E-managed facilities are beginning to ramp up research capabilities after the extended closure that resulted from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  PMF is currently beginning the ramp up procedure and will only provide services to UConn laboratories that already have documented OVPR approval.  It is unknown when full functionality in PMF will be restored due to occupancy limitations put in place to assure health and safety, plus the likelihood of some reagent unavailability and/or shipping delays.

To initiate new projects, please send a copy of your OVPR approval letter to the Facility Director, along with a description of the intended project.  Full details on new safety procedures and sample submission will be provided upon initiation of the new project.  Do not come to Biology/Physics Room G05 or Pharmacy/Biology Room 511 to discuss new projects, previous results, or to drop off samples without permission.  All correspondence will occur via email, phone, or scheduled Webex sessions.

Thank you in advance for your patience during this period.  Stay safe and healthy everyone!

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The following post below was originally posted at core.uconn.edu/news on Wednesday, June 3, 2020:

In conjunction with the ramped reopening of UConn research, our COR²E managed facilities have officially reopened.  Due to unique operational differences between facilities, however, the degree of service provided will differ from one facility to another.  In an effort to maintain the safety of our users and staff (particularly because our facilities are utilized by hundreds of students and faculty across UConn), it is imperative that users adhere to safety policies outlined by the institution/state (logging presence, PPE, maintaining distance, etc.) as well as those procedures that have been created by the specific facility.

If your lab has received approval from the OVPR to resume research activity, and you wish to utilize one of the COR²E managed facilities, please reach out to the respective facility director who can provide guidance on policies/procedures and scheduling (contact information can be found in the resources section of this website).

There will undoubtedly be challenges associated with reopening the facilities, and it is conceivable that they will not be back to providing 100% of their former services for some time.  That said, the facilities are committed to supporting the UConn research community in its important work, and are striving to accommodate the varying research needs of our faculty.  Please try to bear with them.

Finally, as always, if there are ever any non facility-specific questions that arise, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dan Schwartz (daniel.schwartz@uconn.edu).

We look forward to working with everyone again.

Post update: The application window closes in TWO WEEKS on May 5, 2020.  If you are interested, apply now!

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The University of Connecticut Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility (UConn PMF) is hiring an Facilities Scientist II to assist the Facility Director with quantitative proteomics and metabolomics analysis using advanced mass spectrometry instrumentation and leading bioinformatics software.  The PMF opened in 2017 as the University of Connecticut’s first proteomics-focused and full service core facility.  The laboratory exists to provide fully customized analysis to more than 70 faculty across multiple UConn campuses and at other regional academic and industry research institutions.  The position will be a full-time appointment and will provide a unique opportunity to work in a rapidly growing and highly productive core facility at a large research university currently ranked in the top 25 of all public universities in the U.S.  The diverse research community at UConn participates in both basic science and clinical research that provides opportunities for a wide variety of innovative proteomics and metabolomics analysis.

For more information and to apply, click here!