The Need for Core Facilities

Cancer research involves the complex study of cellular, genetic, and molecular mechanisms that contribute to tumor development. Such research requires sophisticated and costly state-of-the-art technologies.  The University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division (BSD) provides shared technologies through the Core Facilities, which aim to support research and serve as educational resources for the University of Chicago community.  The availability of shared facilities is also critical for attracting and retaining world-class researchers and clinicians.

What are the Core Facilities?

The Core Facilities provide UCCRC researchers access to a comprehensive set of technical resources, which offer advanced services that are integral to accomplishing our mission. These resources support vital translational research, encourage the interaction of researchers and clinicians from different disciplines, and serve as centralized centers of expertise.  The Core Facilities provide services to the University's research community on a charge-back basis.  The generated user fees help finance the facilities’ operating costs. UCCRC members receive preferred access and discounted rates for services.

Operation and Management

Management of the Core Facilities operates under a centralized structure, through the Office of Shared Research Facilities (OSRF), to ensure unified strategic planning, financial management, and operations administration.  The OSRF, overseen by the UCCRC and BSD, employs a Scientific Director and Technical Director for each facility.  Scientific Directors are university faculty members who serve as principal investigators for facility protocols and supervise Technical Directors who provide day-to-day management.  Each facility is also overseen by the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC), which reviews the facility’s capability in meeting current research needs and assesses future demands for new technologies.  The Committee on Research Resources (CORR) reviews facility operations, strategic planning, and new proposals for funding, and the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) makes strategic research recommendations.  These multiple levels of scientific and administrative oversight ensure the continued delivery of optimal state-of-the-art technologies to meet the needs of the University of Chicago research community.