Systems biology research requires the collection and processing of superb quality data from large numbers of biological samples using automated, robust, high-throughput and cost-effective procedures. To this end, the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) has established several core facilities with combined staffing of experienced technical managers with state-of-the-art instrumentation and methodologies.

Facilities are accessed by in-house ISB researchers and external collaborators on a fee-for-service and/or indirect cost recovery basis. Turn-around time for services is rapid for automated procedures such as DNA sequencing and array slide spotting, and longer for the more labor-intensive protocols used in proteomics and imaging. Along with monitoring data quality control and equipment usage, the facility managers assist individual researchers with project planning and work-flow on an as-needed basis.

Information regarding the specific services offered by each facility, the instrumentation employed, and representative projects at the ISB that have used the facility are provided on the facility web pages. Wet lab facilities that are currently in place include:

DNA sequencing
Microarray
Genotyping
Proteomics
Cell sorting

A new facility for microfluidics and molecular imaging is under development.

In addition to the data collection facilities, the ISB has established a large set of computational resources that includes high performance hardware and support for data storage, management and analysis.