InterAC Research Meeting –
Interaction and Acceleration of Research
MINUTES
Tuesday, May 27, 2014, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Medical School Board Room
Attending:
Drs. Brosnihan, Cline, Craft, Daniel, Diz, Feldman, Furth, Harrison, Jerome, Kucera,
Bruce King, Kritchevsky, Langefeld, Morris, Ms. Gibson, Ms. Joyner, Ms. Klein, Ms.
McClellan, Mr. Tom Eaton, Ms. Molloy, Mr. O’Byrne, Ms. Pranke, Ms. Rankin, Ms.
Russell, and Ms. Karen Loy (recorder)
Business Topics:
Dr. Diz called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and requested a motion to approve the minutes for the
April 22, 2014. A motion was made by Rebecca Rankin and seconded by Chris O’Byrne; all in favor, none
opposed. Any subsequent changes to the minutes should be sent to Ms. Molloy.
Ms. Molloy gave a brief update to members regarding the Shared Equipment Services document, and
asked that members review the list for any missing data. Contact either Karen Loy or Laurie Molloy if
additions or corrections are required.
In January, all faculty received a “Needs Assessment Survey” requesting information about use of
research infrastructure equipment and recommendations for equipment upgrades or replacements.
There were 134 responses, which were evaluated by a faculty review committee. The committee
identified the top priorities, and those were the basis for a 3-year infrastructure investment plan.
The items considered the highest priority for investment included equipment in four heavily used core
facilities – the Cell and Viral Vector Lab, the Mass Spectrometry Facility, the Flow Cytometry Core, and
the Cellular Imaging Core. The upgrades to equipment include the IVIS imaging system, Olympus IX70
microscope camera and computer, BD FACS Canto II system, and the Q-TOF and mass spectrometer
computer upgrades. During fiscal year 2015, plans are in place via our requested FY15 Capital budget
request, for funds to purchase a confocal microscope on the Bowman Gray Campus; increase server
space and back-up capacity for large data storage; and upgrade the BD FACS ARIA cell sorter, Trace
Finder software for the mass spectrometer, and lenses for the Axioplan 2 Zeiss microscope. These
upgrades should increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided to a broad base of
researchers.
Presentations:
WFIRM Core Resources
Ben Harrison, PhD, gave a presentation on the Institute of Regenerative Medicine available equipment
and core services. WFIRM is located in the Dean Building on the 2nd and 4th floors with 330 people and
25 faculty members. They are working on a plan for any faculty to access the research core labs that
they support, and are phasing in the cores as pricing structures are developed. They use the iLab
Solutions software tool for scheduling time on the equipment, and are phasing all their equipment into
that system.
There are eight primary core areas or “themes” under the Lab Operations group: Cell, Molecular
Biology, Biomaterials, Imaging, Histology, Surgery, Physiology, and the Service Center. The
manufacturing and GMP facility is managed by a separate group within WFIRM. The first cores being
established for shared access are listed below.
Imaging Facility - This facility has a variety of microscopes (inverted and uprights), confocal and multiphoton confocal, live cell imaging, and a FTIR microscope. WFIRM Lab Operations provide basic training,
so faculty and technicians can access the equipment.
Histology Lab – There are plans underway to set up a lab service on the first floor of the Dean Building to
receive samples that will be processed and returned to the users. Services can include sample
processing and data analysis reporting.
Surgical Imaging – The Dean Building houses an animal facility which is able to house small and large
animals. The 32 slice CT has just been transferred to WFIRM, and training technicians is underway. This
and other equipment will soon be available in our surgical area.
Sterilization services are available to all users. The services include traditional methods such as steam,
ethylene oxide, and hydrogen peroxide. Plans are underway to expand these services beyond the Dean
Building. Items will be able to be dropped off to be sterilized using the chosen method. Vaporization
with peroxide for sterilizing entire rooms is also available.
The WFIRM Service Center is the central stock room. It stores a variety of lab supplies which are
purchased in bulk to receive discounted pricing, and discounts are passed on to the users. It also serves
as a hub for tool loaning for items such as cameras for surgical imaging.
View the entire presentation on “WFIRM Lab Ops Core Operations” below.
Grant Development and Manuscript Editing Services
Karen Klein, Director of Grant Development and Medical Editing, gave a brief presentation on her
services as the only medical editor at Wake Forest School of Medicine. The services she provides are
voluntary and free of charge. The goal is to help groups be more efficient and effective, without
duplicating resources.
Examples of services include:
 Grant Development Services – proposal preparation and resubmissions
 Manuscript Editing Services – targeting journals, editing, interpreting critiques, drafting
responses to critiques, and proofreading
 Educational Services – workshops, classes, webinars, and specialized training
Contact Ms. Klein for these services at kklein@wakehealth.edu or 713-3299.
View the entire presentation on “Grant Development and Manuscript Editing Services” below
Next Meeting, July 22 – “Comprehensive Cancer Center Mission and Direction” by Dr. Boris Pasche