The Facility Core serves as a support center for research projects currently on-going under the auspices of the ARCH program at FIU and the COHH program at UM. It is the main repository and supplier of microorganism cultures, purified toxins, DNA and RNA, labeled toxins and antibodies for a variety of investigators. In addition, it supplies access to a wide range of equipment, training and a number of services related to marine toxin research.

The Facility Core completed major renovations in 2003. The Core has moved to a new laboratory (OE316). This space was remodeled to provide 200 sq. ft. of floor space dedicated to cultures. High density shelving increased shelf space to 200 sq. ft., and we estimate our capacity will be 2000L. The renovations included backup temperature control, programmable lighting and air ports for each of ten shelves. An adjacent 100 sq. ft. lab is used for media preparation, and 600 sq. ft. of general laboratory space houses the core instrumentation and is used for cell harvesting, DNA/ RNA and toxin isolation.