Microbial Culturing Core

Overview of Services

As a collaborative facility, our mission is to foster connections among interdisciplinary researchers who share a common interest in discovering the biomedical potential of the microbiome. The Microbial Culturing Facility represents a new model for research and training at UCSF, offering collaborative data generation and analytical support for intramural and extramural investigators in parallel with embedded, experiential training opportunities in microbiome isolation and identification and culture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and fungi.

By providing collaborative expertise in microbial culturing, we facilitate activities such as the targeted isolation of strains, drug susceptibility profiling, growth curve assays and strain procurement and expansion from the BCMM strain repository. Our repository of human-associated microorganisms currently contains bacterial and fungal strains from over 100 genera. We believe culture-based approaches in conjunction with genomic and biochemical characterization of microbial isolates via the BCMM's other facilities will lead to identification of actionable microbial targets and add a powerful new dimension to the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions with unmet needs.

Our team has the expertise to offer assistance in the following areas:
- Project planning and management
- Sample collection, handling and storage recommendations
- Isolate and culture strains of interest
- Functional assays

As a centralized facility, we are a cost-effective resource for basic, clinical and translational studies. We have developed streamlined workflows and optimized protocols for individual sample types and culture targets. Our facility is located in the Medical Science Building at Parnassus.

We recognize that collaboration is bi-directional. Shadowing opportunities and workshops are available to investigators upon request.

Leadership (Interim)

Name Title Phone  Email
Rahim Khan, PhD Manager   rahim.khan@ucsf.edu

Location and hours of operation

Hours Location

Monday - Friday 10am-5pm

  513 Parnassus Avenue (S363)

Links and Resources

  1. https://microbiome.ucsf.edu/microbial-culture-facility

Contacts

Name Role Phone Email Location
Rahim Khan, PhD
Manager
 

 
rahim.khan@ucsf.edu
 

 

Service list


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Isolation (9)
Procurement (4)
Misc (4)