Biomedical Research Image Analysis Core
The College of Veterinary Medicine Biomedical Research Image Analysis Core (CVM-BRIAC), located within the Department of Pathobiology, was established through the vision and financial investments of the College of Veterinary Medicine and contributing departments: Pathobiology; Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology; Scott-Ritchey Research Center (SRRC); and Clinical Sciences. The core provides faculty, staff, and trainees of all levels with shared access and training to imaging resources and equipment to prepare, capture, and analyze high-quality micrographs and digital slide scans, lowering the entry barrier to advanced microscopy and digital pathology technology across the college. Through collaborative, cross-departmental use of its shared resources, the CVM-BRIAC supports the college’s mission of research, teaching, and service to advance discovery in veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, and One Health research for the benefit of the citizens of Alabama and beyond.
Services & Available Equipment
The CVM-BRIAC offers access to the following equipment and analytical tools for Auburn University faculty, staff, and trainees at no additional cost:
- Olympus VS200 Brightfield Whole Slide Scanner
- Keyence BZ-X810 All-In-One Fluorescence Microscope
- Visiopharm Digital Pathology Analysis Workstation
- Bio-Rad ChemiDoc Imaging System
- CytoViva Hyperspectral Microscope
- CTL ImmunoSpot S6 Flex
- RNAScope Hybridization Oven
Users must obtain appropriate training on any equipment before use, and they must provide all consumables necessary for the completion of their experiments. Users are expected to leave equipment clean and in working condition for the next user and must report any malfunction to the BRIAC staff immediately (briac@groups.auburn.edu).
Biosafety/Lab Safety Requirements
Users working with viable Risk Group 2 agents and/or requiring BSL-2 containment practices must ensure that the CVM-BRIAC lab (152 Greene Hall) is listed on their approved Biological Use Authorization (BUA). Users must follow the sample transportation, PPE, and waste disposal procedures specified in their BUA, which include at a minimum: 1) enclosing samples in a secondary container with a secured lid, labeled with a biohazard label; 2) removing gloves and lab coat before leaving the lab and/or touching shared instrument controls, to prevent cross-contamination of shared surfaces; and 3) collecting all hazardous waste and returning it to their own lab for disposal. Users working with fixed, non-biohazardous samples should follow standard lab operating procedures.
Training & Requests for Access
Initial training is required for all shared equipment and can only be performed by CVM-BRIAC approved staff. Contact the CVM-BRIAC Director to arrange a training session and/or request access to the lab (briac@groups.auburn.edu). Users must complete all mandatory biosafety training prior to requesting access to the lab.
Users are strongly encouraged to use the equipment in the core during normal Auburn University operating hours (typically M-F; 7:45 AM – 4:45 PM). Users may request after-hours card swipe access to the core upon demonstrated competency in the equipment they intend to use. Access to the core will be periodically reviewed, and inactive users will have their access terminated.
Scheduling
Users can sign-up for equipment through the aub.ie/imaging scheduling calendar. Appointment scheduling is based on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to users who have signed up on the calendar. Appointment lengths can be adjusted as needed to complete an experiment; however, extended appointments cannot interfere with the following reservation. Users are expected to complete their session, including time to clean and prepare the equipment so the next appointment can begin on time.
Data Transfer and Storage
Data generated on all CVM-BRIAC equipment is ultimately the responsibility of the Principal Investigator whose lab is using the facility. Instrument computers and local workstations are provided for image acquisition and analysis only, not long-term data storage. Users must transfer their data to their own lab’s storage system at the completion of each session. Any data remaining on shared equipment is subject to periodic deletion without notice. Neither CVM-BRIAC nor CVM IIT staff are responsible for data loss resulting from a failure to transfer files in a timely manner, including hardware failures or upgrades.
Other Resources
- CVM-BRIAC Policies (coming soon)
- Facility Description for Proposals
Contact Information
James W. Gillespie, Ph.D.
Director, CVM-BRIAC
152 Greene Hall
1130 Wire Road
Auburn, AL, 36849
Phone: (334) 844‑2625
Email: gillejw@auburn.edu or briac@groups.auburn.edu
Acknowledgements
The CVM-BRIAC should be listed in the acknowledgements section of any publication using data generated in the facility as follows: “Imaging data in this grant/publication were generated in the College of Veterinary Medicine Biomedical Research Image Analysis Core (CVM-BRIAC), Auburn University.”