Message-Id: <l03010d05af0a99e09ffc@[131.111.47.52]>
In-Reply-To: <970121080651_538598625@emout12.mail.aol.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Jan 1997 16:21:56 +0000
From: Len Packman <lcp2@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk>
Subject: RE:"Alternative" and New Services for Core Labs
To: Recipients of ABRF List <abrf@aecom.yu.edu>
Umit,
I have a maxim about my own core facility - we do not do anything
that a student or postdoc can readily do in their own lab. We have a
protein sequencer, AAAx2, MALDI, CE, oligosyn, pepsyn and a couple of
hplc's and 4 staff. We run no gels (unless a customer has difficulty) for
sample prep - why should we?; the average student can do that perfectly
well themselves. We provide guidance of course in the form of recommended
protocols. Most get positive results.
I see the core facility as offering those techniques that most
labs have NO specialisation in or appropriate equipment. Therefore, I will
never even entertain the thought of cloning and expressing, or even general
protein purification. There are plenty of cloning labs, FPLCs and often
hplc's in most departments which researchers can use. If the "service"
thing is taken too far, we will end up with the core facilities doing all
the research work with the researchers sitting back and inventing
experiments for us to do!
In this dept., CD is located in a research lab which specialises in protein
folding. DNAsyn is located next to a lab which has a major demand for its
use.
Most core labs have more work than they can comfortably handle. I don't
believe in expansion without a proven need (i.e. multiple requests from
established staff for new services), and if the need is truly there, the
staff members should be only too happy to provide support in obtaining
equipment, extra staff and room to house both. I think we all know what
happens in reality though......
Len
******************************************************
Dr Len C. Packman
Assistant Director of Research
Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry Facility
Department of Biochemistry, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
Tel: +44 (1223) 333639 (including answerphone)
FAX: +44 (1223) 333345
e-mail: lcp2@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk
Visit my WWW page at http://www.bio.cam.ac.uk/proj/adr/PNAC/pnac.html