Core Staff Recognition Awards Open for Nomination
2025-11-01 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
The Office of Research Technologies is excited to announce the Core Facility Staff Recognition Program is open for nominations. These awards recognize the value and importance of the staff in our biomedical research core facilities. This program will offer up to three awards acknowledging the efforts and contributions of SHRA and EHRA non-faculty staff members in the biomedical research cores at UNC. One award may be given in each of three categories:

Technical Achievement
Customer Service
Performance Excellence

Specific criteria and examples for each of these awards can be found on the website.

Anyone can nominate a staff member for the award (no self-nominations, though) so please forward the award announcement to other core facility stakeholders, customers or other lab members who may wish to nominate a staff member!
Nominees and nominators can be from any of the Schools at UNC. Nominations are open through November 30, 2025 with winners announced in December. If you have any questions after reading the criteria on our website please contact the Office of Research Technologies at corefacilities@med.unc.edu
Each winner will receive $1,000 (pre-tax) and a feature on the Office of Research Technologies website.

Website link: https://www.med.unc.edu/corefacilities/core-facilities-staff-recognition-program

We look forward to your nominations!

Core Facility Technology Talks
2025-10-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Mary Ellen Jones 3112
From multi-omics technologies to cutting-edge tools for biomarker discovery such as Olink and clinical proteomics, specimen collection, data analysis, and mixed-method evaluation, UNC Chapel Hill core facilities have some new services and instrumentation ready to support your research.
Core Facility Technology Talks
Monday October 20, 2025 | 1 – 4 PM
Virtual and in person attendance available!
Virtual Registration for Webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fw4h3C41TwWHdj4zt5jVzg#/registration
In-Person Location: Mary Ellen Jones 3112
Join us for an engaging session where you can hear directly from the directors and staff of 12 core facilities:

Screening Live Cancer Explants Core
Microbiome Core
Biomarker Mass Spectrometry Core
BioSpecimen Processing Facility
High-Throughput Sequencing Facility
Abacus Evaluation
Respiratory TRACTS Core
Structural Bioinformatics Core
Metabolomics and Proteomics Core
Neuroscience Microscopy Core
Pathology Services Core
Clinical Genome Analysis Core

Thermo Fisher Mass Spectrometry Symposium
2025-10-10 09:00 - 15:00
The UNC Michael Hooker Metabolomics and Proteomics Core is hosting the 2025 UNC Thermo Fisher Mass Spectrometry Symposium.

Applications for Lightning Talks are accepted through September 1st.

For more information and to apply for a Lightning Talk please visit the event website.

Leica Laser Microdissection and Laser Microcapture Demo Workshop
2025-10-06 08:00 - 2025-10-09 17:00

UNC SOM Core Voucher Program Applications Due
2025-09-22 08:00 - 17:00
The voucher program is intended for UNC researchers with a primary or joint appointment to the UNC School of Medicine and their trainees to apply for up to $10,000 in funding to be spent at one or more SOM core facilities which invoice for services. This is specifically intended for NEW method development or PILOT DATA for currently unfunded projects that ALSO meets one of the following criteria:

Establishes the applicant as a new customer of at least one core facility
Creates a multi-core pipeline
Allows a customer of a core facility to use a new technique or methodology within a core they have previously used in other capacities (this is at the discretion of the core director)
Applicant has been impacted by a recent grant termination (last 6 months) or a programmatic change at the NIH or other federal agencies, and is collecting pilot data to target new federal funding opportunities or new internal collaborations (see special note in Application Instructions)

Applicants (who may be PIs or trainees) will be required to meet with and have the written approval of the core directors for core facilities they intend to use at the time of submission and must plan to fully spend out their funds by June 30, 2026. Carry-over of funds is not guaranteed, and applicants should be aware that the technical feasibility to complete the study within the proposed timeframe will be an important factor in award decisions.

Cores which can be used are limited to those administered by the School of Medicine or who serve a majority-SOM customer base. To request an eligibility review of a non-SOM core, please e-mail kara_clissold@med.unc.edu.

Please find the full RFA and list of eligible cores attached and all information, including necessary documentation, a submission form template to aid in organizing the application, core director/applicant signature forms, and submission instructions, can be found on the ORT/CFAC Voucher Program‘s Website: https://www.med.unc.edu/corefacilities/core–voucher–program/

Applications for the Voucher Program are now open for submission and will be due September 22, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Please direct any questions about this program to Kara Clissold in the SOM Office of Research Technologies at kara_clissold@med.unc.edu

CFAC Fall RFA Submissions Due
2025-09-12
The Core Facilities Advocacy Committee (CFAC) Fall RFA funding mechanism applications are due today. Please refer to the website: https://www.med.unc.edu/corefacilities/fall–rfa/

All applications must be submitted using our online forms, which are linked on both the word documents and the website. To assist you in planning the submission, word document submission templates are attached so that your answers may be easily copied and pasted into the online submission form.

Additionally, all cores must have an active CFAC core survey on file.

Submissions are due September 12th at 11:59 PM.

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Workshop hosted by UNC Chemistry Core Facilities
2025-09-09 09:00 - 15:00
The workshop’s goal is to raise awareness about the Bruker UltrafleXtreme MALDI-TOF MS available at the UNC Mass Spectrometry Core Lab for open instrument access and sample submissions. Additionally, we plan to provide MALDI-TOF users with useful knowledge and skills to help them succeed in their analyses.
This workshop, conducted in partnership with Bruker Daltonics and UNC Mass Spectrometry (MSCL) and Soft Matter (UNCSMCL) core labs, centers on the practical utilization of MALDI-TOF MS for precise mass measurement of small to macromolecular analytes that include many soft materials. Tailored for both current and prospective MALDI-TOF MS users, the event highlights optimization strategies and practical applications while promoting collaboration within the scientific community.
Attendees can participate in this event either in person or virtually. Space is limited for in-person attendance, so be sure to register now. For those attending the in-person presentations, join us for a light lunch where you may engage in open conversation with Bruker representatives, UNC core lab directors, and other scientists. There will also be a limited in-person sample preparation and instrument operation demonstration after lunch for invited current and prospective UNC MALDI-TOF users.

Visit the event webpage for a full schedule and registration information.

Seminar: AI-Driven Approaches to Validate NAMs and Reduce Animal Dependency in Biomedical Research
2025-08-13 10:00 - 11:00
This session will go into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and computational modeling on biomedical science. Dr. Melissa Haendel, a prominent figure in biomedical data science and translational informatics, will discuss how AI-driven models are advancing human-relevant systems such as organoids, iPSCs, and digital twins. This webinar will emphasize the vital role of AI in validating NAMs and minimizing the necessity for traditional animal models. Registration is required to attend.
Register at: http://go.unc.edu/nam-zoom

Applications Due for UNC Research Week Core Technology Talks
2025-08-01 08:00 - 17:00
If you are are a core director or core staff scientist interested in presenting a talk during this opportunity to showcase new core technologies, methods, and services please complete the following application to present on or before August 1, 2025:

https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_es9Vev3tVm05NVs

As a reminder, these talks should present original data collected in the core facility to highlight . This data may have been collected in collaboration with a UNC researcher, who may also be a co-presenter.

Eligible topics are:
– new instrumentation, services, technologies, methodologies, etc. that have been onboarded into the core on or after July 1, 2024
– Technologies and instrumentation acquired or made possible through ANY state or federal instrumentation grant programs (no time restriction on date of award)

Application Due Date: August 1, 2025

Applications will be reviewed in early August and acceptances will be announced by August 15, 2025.

We are still determining a date and time for the Technology Talks and may split them into multiple days based on interest

Thank you! We look forward to hosting a great event to showcase our core facilities!

Spatial Biology Seminar hosted by the Pathology Services Core
2025-07-15 11:00 - 15:00
We are excited to invite you to an upcoming seminar hosted by the UNC Pathology Services Core (PSC), highlighting cutting-edge advancements in spatial transcriptomics and in situ gene expression profiling.

Join us as we explore the powerful capabilities of 10x Genomics’ Visium Spatial and Xenium In Situ platforms—technologies that are transforming how we understand tissue architecture and cellular function.
🍽 Lunch will be provided.

Featured Speaker:
🔹 Dr. Kathryn Gessner – UNC Research Assistant Professor, Lineberger Cancer Center
Presenting Xenium spatial data generated right here at UNC.
🔹Poster presentations showcasing research from UNC colleagues
You’ll also have the chance to engage with experts from 10x Genomics and learn how these platforms can enhance your research by providing unparalleled resolution and spatial context.

💬 One-on-one Consultations Available!
Consultations with the PSC will be available from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the day of the event.
Book your consultation today to discuss your project needs and learn how we can support your spatial biology workflows.
Can’t make that time? No problem—consultations are also available by appointment year-round.

🔗 Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GAq7R3FJxCDpP1BIn6c-9_SGRHjBYDoFtedMXs6V_NQ/viewform?ts=684c343f&edit_requested=true
(Or QR code in attached Flyer)

For questions, feel free to reach out to:
📩 PSC at gdelacruz@med.unc.edu

Agenda
11am: PSC, UNC-CH
11:10am: Ryan Mote, 10x-Genomics
12:00pm: Kate Gessner, UNC-CH
12:30 pm: Kaleb Naegeli, Humacyte
12:50pm: BARC, UNC-CH

We hope to see you there!

Soft Matter Infrastructure Symposium
2025-06-10 12:00 - 14:10
Building upon the success of the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network, planning has begun between UNC-CH, NCSU, Duke, and the University of Kansas to create a community formed around soft-matter infrastructure across our region and beyond. On June 10th, we will be hosting a virtual kick-off from 12pm – 2:10pm and we’d be delighted if you and interested members in your group can join us. The agenda is attached and can also be found here. There is no cost to attend.

Please distribute the attached flier to your networks who want to:

Become part of a community of users and researchers who leverage soft-matter shared research infrastructure
Identify soft-matter fabrication and characterization capabilities across the US that should be developed locally
Provide input on services and support that will be most helpful to their research in soft matter

Discuss emerging technologies and vision for supporting the future of soft-matter research

Register here and contact Cynthia Corley or Bob Geil with any questions. Please also consider joining our LinkedIn group here to continue the conversation after the symposium.

Best regards,
The Soft Matter Infrastructure Symposium Planning Committee

Core Facility Advocacy Meeting
2025-05-14 09:00 - 11:00
Want to suggest an agenda item? Contact your CFAC representative or ORT ahead of the meeting to suggest an agenda item.

ABRF Workshop: AI In Bioimaging
2025-05-13 12:00 - 13:00
Due to overwhelming demand for the “AI in bio imagining” workshop at this year’s ABRF meeting, the series will continue:
Tuesday, May 13
12:00 – 1:00 pm ET
Register here:
https://lnkd.in/gjWn56S3
The first several sessions will replicate some of the workshop content. The first part will use AI in Fiji, led by David Kirchenbuchler.

This session is available to core facility directors and staff. If you have not activated your ABRF membership through UNC Chapel Hill’s institutional membership, please reach out to Kara Clissold (kara_clissold@med.unc.edu)

Core Staff Recognition Awards Due
2025-05-02 08:00 - 17:00
Nominations close for the UNC Spring 2024 Core Facility Staff Recognition Program. Get your nominations in! Core staff can be nominated for an award in one of three areas:

Technical Achievement
Customer Service
Performance Excellence

Mass Spectrometry Seminar Series
2025-04-23 12:00 - 13:00
Please join the UNC Metabolomics and Proteomics Core for a lunch and learn presented by Seer‘s Senior Field Applications Scientist, Dr. Pierre Mbarushimana. Seer is a biotech company dedicated to transforming proteomics through innovative nanoparticle technology. By enabling the comprehensive and unbiased analysis of proteins across a wide dynamic range, Seer’s platform empowers researchers to uncover novel biomarkers, accelerate drug discovery, and advance precision medicine.

Lunch will be provided but spots are limited, so please RSVP here to attend.

Details:
When? Wednesday April 23, 2025; 12-1PM
Where? 2004 Marsico Hall (and virtually)
What’s it about? Attending the Seer seminar will provide you with insights into an advanced nanoparticle technology that enables researchers to enrich both low- and high-abundance proteins across various sample types. By coupling Seer’s automated nanoparticle enrichment platform with mass spectrometry, researchers can measure and quantify thousands of proteins that were previously undetectable. Additionally, we will present research and clinical studies that have leveraged this technology to identify novel biomarkers and drug targets.

Zeiss CD7 Demo
2025-04-21 08:00 - 2025-04-25 17:00
The Neuroscience Microscopy Core is excited to be hosting the Zeiss CD7 demo 4/21-4/25.
Some of the many capabilities of this microscope includes:
-long term imaging with incubation
-widefield to confocal workflows
-a special objective for organoids/thick samples for deep higher resolution imaging.
For more information on the demo and to sign up for a one on one imaging session, please see the flyer.

Core Director Meeting
2025-04-14 09:30 - 11:00 | BioInformatics Building Room 1131
Come join us for a Core Director Meeting

Monday April 14, 2025 from 9:30 – 11:00 AM

In person:
Bioinformatics 1131

Zoom link:
Topic: UNC Core Director’s Meeting
Time: Apr 14, 2025 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95710442070

Meeting ID: 957 1044 2070

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One tap mobile
+13017158592,,95710442070# US (Washington DC)
+13052241968,,95710442070# US

CFAC Travel Award Applications Due
2025-01-31 17:00
he UNC Core Facility Director and Staff Travel Awards are designed to encourage attendance of core facility directors and staff at regional, national, or international conferences..There will be two award cycles per year, and within each award cycle up to 5 awards of up to $1,000 will be awarded.
Awards are intended to enable core directors and staff to participate in continuing education within their field and to stay abreast of ongoing technological and service advancements that will benefit their core and the UNC research enterprise.
Awards will be decided by the School of Medicine Office of Research Technologies and the Core Facility Advocacy Committee.

The applications will be scored based on the following criteria:

Will conference attendance Impact applicant’s professional development
Will conference attendance result in new method development within the core:
Will conference attendance Result in new technological capabilities within the core:
Will conference attendance Improve core operations and management (training customers or staff, business management, marketing, etc.):

For more details and to access the application: https://www.med.unc.edu/corefacilities/travel-awards/

Cytek Biosciences ImageLearn Live (UNC Flow Cytometry Core event)
2025-01-23 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-22 13:00 - 15:00
The UNC Flow Cytometry core, which houses a Cytek ImageStream, invites you to attend a webinar hosted by Cytek:

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming ImageLearn Live educational webinar series “Insights Into Amnis® Imaging Flow Cytometry – Basic and Advanced Techniques with the ImageStream® System”. This webinar consists of 2 sessions.

Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 & Thursday, January 23, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST / 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Duration: Each Session is 2 Hours

Key Topics: Sample Acquisition, Compensation, Image Analysis, Machine Learning, and Data Reporting

Speakers: Garry Cuneo, Senior Field Applications Specialist, and Rich DeMarco, Senior Field Applications Specialist

Register Here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5088136736051939930

Who Should Attend? This webinar is ideal for current as well as prospective users of the Cytek® Amnis® ImageStream® imaging flow cytometer interested in learning more about acquisition and analysis. Key topics discussed in this webinar include a general overview of sample acquisition, basic data analysis, and advanced data analysis. The techniques discussed will be applicable across all imaging applications.

ABRF Peer Mentoring Session
2024-12-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-11-19 14:00 - 15:00
Join your ABRF colleagues to discuss shared questions, common challenges, or issues that you’re facing in your career or professional journey. The monthly ABRF Peer Mentoring conversations are scheduled for:
Third Tuesdays of the Month
2:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Register here.
Held monthly, these peer-to-peer mentoring discussions will be an opportunity to learn from one another and to identify new ideas or approaches to situations you may face within your roles.
Similar to an informal mentoring program, these small-group conversations are an opportunity to leverage the diverse experiences and abilities within the ABRF Community.
Possible topics for peer conversations include:
– Professional development options
– Core facility career paths
– Balancing cost recovery with the need to be cutting edge
– Authorship and tracking publications
– Training
The specific number and topics discussed during the Peer Mentoring Conversations will be determined by the participants. Everyone will have the opportunity to move among topics based on their interests and the value they receive from the discussions.
Register today and include any suggested topics you’d like to discuss with your ABRF peers. Capacity for this pilot Peer Mentoring Conversation session will be limited, so sign up today to save your seat.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions. We look forward to seeing you.

CFAC Meeting
2024-12-11

Fall Core Facility Staff Recognition Award Nomination Deadline
2024-11-30

UNC Mass Spectrometry Imaging Workshop
2024-11-13 11:00 - 14:00

CFAC Meeting (Voucher Program Evaluation)
2024-11-13

ILab Information Session
2024-11-06 10:30 - 11:30

Fall Core Facility Staff Recognition Awards Open
2024-11-01

OVCR Funding Request Deadline
2024-10-31

Core Facility Showcase
2024-10-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Koury Oral Health Sciences Building, 385 S Columbia St, Chapel Hill, NC
Core Facility Showcase

When: Tuesday October 22, 2024 10 am – 12 pm

Where: Koury Oral Health Sciences lobbies (entrance off of either Manning or S Columbia St

What: Core facilities from UNC Chapel Hill will have a poster session and information available for existing and new customers. Come learn about new instrumentation or services in the core labs, pick up some swag, and discuss upcoming research needs.

Who: Core directors and managers across the disciplines will be present. Attendees from all sectors are welcome!

Are you a core director interested in attending? Please fill out the registration form here by October 1, 2024: https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0pvo9Ng6atpoXjM

Food will be provided to attendees who have their sign in sheet initialed by the requisite number of core directors!

Check out the website for more information closer to the event: https://www.med.unc.edu/corefacilities/core-showcase/
Questions? Contact Kara Clissold at kara_clissold@med.unc.edu
