The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) is dedicated to advancing core and research biotechnology laboratories through research, communication, and education. ABRF members include over 800 scientists representing 267 different core laboratories in 41 countries, including those in industry, government, academic and research institutions.

History

In 1986 a Research Resource Facility Satellite Meeting was held in conjunction with the Sixth International Conference on Methods in Protein Sequence Analysis. The next year protein sequencing and amino acid samples were sent to survey 103 core facilities. By 1989 the ABRF was formally organized and incorporated. Each year an annual meeting was held as a satellite meeting of the Protein Society until 1996 when separate meetings began.

ABRF Research Groups

Research Groups are established to fulfill two of the purposes of the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities. First, to provide mechanisms for the self-evaluation and improvement of procedural and operational accuracy, precision and efficiency in resource facilities and research laboratories. Second, to contribute to the education of resource facility and research laboratory staff, users, administrators, and interested members of the scientific community.

• Antibody Technology
  Antibody
  An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
  
   Research Group (ARG)
• DNA Sequencing
  DNA sequencing
  DNA sequencing includes several methods and technologies that are used for determining the order of the nucleotide bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine—in a molecule of DNA....
  
   Research Group (DSRG)
• Genomic Variation
  Genotyping
  Genotyping is the process of determining differences in the genetic make-up of an individual by examining the individual's DNA sequence using biological assays and comparing it to another individual's sequence or a reference sequence. It reveals the alleles an individual has inherited from their...
  
   Research Group (GVRG)
• Glycoprotein
  Glycoprotein
  Glycoproteins are proteins that contain oligosaccharide chains covalently attached to polypeptide side-chains. The carbohydrate is attached to the protein in a cotranslational or posttranslational modification. This process is known as glycosylation. In proteins that have segments extending...
  
   Research Group (gPRG)
• Light Microscopy
  Microscopy
  Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples and objects that cannot be seen with the unaided eye...
  
   Research Group (LMRG)
• Metabolomics
  Metabolomics
  Metabolomics is the scientific study of chemical processes involving metabolites. Specifically, metabolomics is the "systematic study of the unique chemical fingerprints that specific cellular processes leave behind", the study of their small-molecule metabolite profiles...
  
   Research Group (MRG)
• Microarray
  DNA microarray
  A DNA microarray is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface. Scientists use DNA microarrays to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously or to genotype multiple regions of a genome...
  
   Research Group (MARG); MARG discussion forum http://abrf-marg.wikispaces.com/
• Molecular Interactions
  Surface plasmon resonance
  The excitation of surface plasmons by light is denoted as a surface plasmon resonance for planar surfaces or localized surface plasmon resonance for nanometer-sized metallic structures....
  
   Research Group (MIRG)
• Nucleic Acid
  Nucleic acid
  Nucleic acids are biological molecules essential for life, and include DNA and RNA . Together with proteins, nucleic acids make up the most important macromolecules; each is found in abundance in all living things, where they function in encoding, transmitting and expressing genetic information...
  
  s Research Group (NARG)
• Protein Expression
  Gene expression
  Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. These products are often proteins, but in non-protein coding genes such as ribosomal RNA , transfer RNA or small nuclear RNA genes, the product is a functional RNA...
  
   Research Group (PERG)
• Protein Sequencing
  Protein sequencing
  Protein sequencing is a technique to determine the amino acid sequence of a protein, as well as which conformation the protein adopts and the extent to which it is complexed with any non-peptide molecules...
  
   Research Group (PSRG)
• Proteomics
  Proteomics
  Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are the main components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. The term "proteomics" was first coined in 1997 to make an analogy with...
  
   Research Group (PRG)
• Proteomic Informatics
  Proteomics
  Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are the main components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. The term "proteomics" was first coined in 1997 to make an analogy with...
  
   Research Group (iPRG)
• Proteomic Standards
  Proteomics
  Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are the main components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. The term "proteomics" was first coined in 1997 to make an analogy with...
  
   Research Group (sPRG)

Resource Technologies

Members of ABRF are involved in a broad spectrum of genomic and proteomic technologies such as:

• Automation: high throughput screening, LIMS, robotics
  Robotics
  Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
  
  .
• Biophysics
  Biophysics
  Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that uses the methods of physical science to study biological systems. Studies included under the branches of biophysics span all levels of biological organization, from the molecular scale to whole organisms and ecosystems...
  
  : calorimetry
  Calorimetry
  Calorimetry is the science of measuring the heat of chemical reactions or physical changes. Calorimetry is performed with a calorimeter. The word calorimetry is derived from the Latin word calor, meaning heat...
  
  , CD, fluorescence
  Fluorescence
  Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation of a different wavelength. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore lower energy, than the absorbed radiation...
  
  , light scattering
  Light scattering
  Light scattering is a form of scattering in which light is the form of propagating energy which is scattered. Light scattering can be thought of as the deflection of a ray from a straight path, for example by irregularities in the propagation medium, particles, or in the interface between two media...
  
  , SPR
  Surface plasmon resonance
  The excitation of surface plasmons by light is denoted as a surface plasmon resonance for planar surfaces or localized surface plasmon resonance for nanometer-sized metallic structures....
  
  , ultracentrifugation.
• Gene Expression and Profiling: gene arrays, real-time PCR
  Polymerase chain reaction
  The polymerase chain reaction is a scientific technique in molecular biology to amplify a single or a few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence....
  
  .
• Mass Spectrometry
  Mass spectrometry
  Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles.It is used for determining masses of particles, for determining the elemental composition of a sample or molecule, and for elucidating the chemical structures of molecules, such as peptides and...
  
  : qualitative, quantitative, and structural analysis of proteins, carbohydrates, oligonucleotides, and lipids.
• Nucleic Acid
  Nucleic acid
  Nucleic acids are biological molecules essential for life, and include DNA and RNA . Together with proteins, nucleic acids make up the most important macromolecules; each is found in abundance in all living things, where they function in encoding, transmitting and expressing genetic information...
  
   Chemistry
  Chemistry
  Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
  
  : DNA sequencing
  DNA sequencing
  DNA sequencing includes several methods and technologies that are used for determining the order of the nucleotide bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine—in a molecule of DNA....
  
  , DNA synthesis
  DNA synthesis
  DNA synthesis commonly refers to:*DNA replication - DNA biosynthesis *Polymerase chain reaction - enzymatic DNA synthesis *Oligonucleotide synthesis - chemical synthesis of nucleic acids...
  
  , RNA synthesis, genotyping
  Genotyping
  Genotyping is the process of determining differences in the genetic make-up of an individual by examining the individual's DNA sequence using biological assays and comparing it to another individual's sequence or a reference sequence. It reveals the alleles an individual has inherited from their...
  
  .
• Protein Expression
  Gene expression
  Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. These products are often proteins, but in non-protein coding genes such as ribosomal RNA , transfer RNA or small nuclear RNA genes, the product is a functional RNA...
  
  , Identification, and Profiling: differential fluorescence, conventional 2-D gel electrophoresis
  Gel electrophoresis
  Gel electrophoresis is a method used in clinical chemistry to separate proteins by charge and or size and in biochemistry and molecular biology to separate a mixed population of DNA and RNA fragments by length, to estimate the size of DNA and RNA fragments or to separate proteins by charge...
  
  , disease biomarker discovery.
• Protein/Peptide Chemistry
  Biochemistry
  Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
  
  : amino acid analysis, N- and C-terminal sequencing, peptide synthesis, peptide/protein arrays.
• Separations: 1- and 2-D PAGE, capillary electrophoresis
  Capillary electrophoresis
  Capillary electrophoresis , also known as capillary zone electrophoresis , can be used to separate ionic species by their charge and frictional forces and hydrodynamic radius. In traditional electrophoresis, electrically charged analytes move in a conductive liquid medium under the influence of an...
  
  , chromatography
  Chromatography
  Chromatography is the collective term for a set of laboratory techniques for the separation of mixtures....
  
  .
• Quality Control
  Quality control
  Quality control, or QC for short, is a process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production. This approach places an emphasis on three aspects:...
  
  : GLP, GMP, quality and compliance.
• Other: bioinformatics
  Bioinformatics
  Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. Bioinformatics deals with algorithms, databases and information systems, web technologies, artificial intelligence and soft computing, information and computation theory, software...
  
  , carbohydrate
  Carbohydrate
  A carbohydrate is an organic compound with the empirical formula ; that is, consists only of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with a hydrogen:oxygen atom ratio of 2:1 . However, there are exceptions to this. One common example would be deoxyribose, a component of DNA, which has the empirical...
  
   analysis, differential display, microscopy
  Microscopy
  Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples and objects that cannot be seen with the unaided eye...
  
  /imaging, recombinant protein production.

Annual Conference

Every year the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities annual conference is held during the spring in a varying North American city. This international conference is used to expose members to new and emerging biotechnology through lectures, roundtables, Research Group presentations, poster sessions, workshops and technical exhibits.

• ABRF 2012, March 17–20, Orlando, Florida
• ABRF 2011, February 19-22, San Antonio, Texas; Technologies to Enable Personalized Medicine
• ABRF 2010, March 20–23, Sacramento, California; Translating Basic Research With Advances in Biomolecular Technology
• ABRF 2009, February 7–10, Memphis, Tennessee; Application and Optimization of Existing and Emerging Biotechnologies
• ABRF 2008, February 9–12, Salt Lake City, Utah; Enabling Technologies in the Life Sciences
• ABRF 2007, March 31- April 3, Tampa, Florida; Creating the Biological Roadmap
• ABRF 2006, February 11–14, Long Beach, California; Integrating Science, Tools and Technologies with Systems Biology
• ABRF 2005, February 5–8, Savannah, Georgia; BioMolecular Technologies: Discovery to Hypothesis
• ABRF 2004, February 28- March 2, Portland, Oregon; Integrating Technologies in Proteomics and Genomics
• ABRF 2003, February 10–13, Denver, Colorado; Translating Biology Using Proteomics and Functional Genomics
• ABRF 2002, March 9–12, Austin, Texas; Biomolecular Technologies: Tools for Discovery in Proteomics and Genomics
• ABRF 2001, February 24–27, San Diego, CA; The New Biology: Technology for resolving Macromolecular Communications
• ABRF 2000, February 19–22, Bellevue, Washington; From Singular to Global Analyses of Biological Systems
• ABRF 1999, March 19–22, Durham, North Carolina; Bioinformatics and Biomolecular Technologies: Linking Genomes, Proteomes and Biochemistry
• ABRF 1998, March 21–24, San Diego, California; From Genomes to Function - Technical Challenges of the Post-Genome Era
• ABRF 1997, February 9–12, Baltimore, Maryland; Techniques at the Genome-Proteome Interface
• ABRF 1996, March 30- April 2, San Francisco, California; Biomolecular Techniques

ABRF Award

The ABRF Award is sponsored by Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies , or Agilent, is a company that designs and manufactures electronic and bio-analytical measurement instruments and equipment for measurement and evaluation...

 and is presented at the annual ABRF meeting for outstanding contributions to Biomolecular Technologies.
Past Award Winners:

• 2011 Sir Alec John Jeffreys
  Alec Jeffreys
  Sir Alec John Jeffreys, FRS is a British geneticist, who developed techniques for DNA fingerprinting and DNA profiling which are now used all over the world in forensic science to assist police detective work, and also to resolve paternity and immigration disputes...
  
  : Developed techniques for DNA fingerprinting and DNA
  DNA
  Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
  
   profiling
• 2010 Pat Brown
  Patrick O. Brown
  Patrick O. "Pat" Brown M.D., Ph.D., born 1954 in Washington, DC, is a Professor of biochemistry at Stanford University. He got his B.S., M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. His research uses DNA microarrays to study the gene expression patterns associated with especially cancer...
  
  : Pioneering work in the development of microarrays, and the diverse applications of this technology in genetic research.
• 2009 Mathias Uhlen
• 2008 Ruedi Aebersold
  Ruedi Aebersold
  Rudolf Aebersold is a Swiss biologist, regarded as a pioneer in the fields of proteomics and systems biology. Prof. Aebersold has primarily researched techniques for measuring proteins in complex samples, in many cases via mass spectrometry...
  
  
• 2007 Donald F. Hunt
  Donald F. Hunt
  Donald F. Hunt is currently the University Professor of Chemistry and Pathology at the University of Virginia.- Early life and education :He received his B.S. and Ph.D...
  
  
• 2006 Roger Tsien
• 2005 Stephen Fodor
  Stephen Fodor
  Dr. Stephen P. A. "Steve" Fodor is the founder of Affymetrix, a company that produces DNA microarrays to screen gene expression and genetic variations in large portions of such genomes as human, rat, and mouse, which is currently widely used in research, and could be used to screen patients for...
  
  
• 2004 Edwin Southern
  Edwin Southern
  Sir Edwin Mellor Southern, FRS is an English 2005 Lasker Award-winning molecular biologist. His award was for the invention of the Southern blot, now a common laboratory procedure, when he was working at the University of Edinburgh....
  
  
• 2003 Franz Hillenkamp
  Franz Hillenkamp
  Franz Hillenkamp is a German mass spectrometry scientist developer with Michael Karas of the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization technique.-Awards:...
  
   and Michael Karas
  Michael Karas
  Michael Karas is a German physical chemistry scientist and Professor, known for his researches on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization , a technique in mass spectrometry....
  
  
• 2002 John Fenn
• 2001 Csaba Horvath
  Csaba Horváth (chemical engineer)
  Csaba Horváth was a Hungarian-American chemical engineer, particularly noted for building the first high performance liquid chromatograph.-Life:...
  
  
• 2000 Leroy Hood
  Leroy Hood
  Leroy Hood is an American biologist. He won the 2011 Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize “for automating DNA sequencing that revolutionized biomedicine and forensic science” and the 2003 Lemelson-MIT Prize for inventing "four instruments that have unlocked much of the mystery of human biology" by...
  
  
• 1999 Marvin Caruthers
• 1998 Bruce Merrifield
• 1997 Lloyd Smith
• 1996 David Lipman
• 1995 Klaus Biemann
  Klaus Biemann
  Klaus Biemann is a Professor Emeritus of chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His work was centered on structural analysis in organic and biochemistry...
  
  
• 1994 Frederick Sanger
  Frederick Sanger
  Frederick Sanger, OM, CH, CBE, FRS is an English biochemist and a two-time Nobel laureate in chemistry, the only person to have been so. In 1958 he was awarded a Nobel prize in chemistry "for his work on the structure of proteins, especially that of insulin"...
  
  

Journal of Biomolecular Techniques

The ABRF is the publisher of the Journal of Biomolecular Techniques. The journal is peer-reviewed and is published quarterly. The major focus of the journal is to publish scientific reviews and articles related to biomolecular resource facilities. The Research Group published reports include annual surveys. News and events, as well as an article watch focused on techniques used in typical core facility environments are also included.

• Sheena Mische, Co-Editor in Chief, NYU Langone Medical Center
  NYU Langone Medical Center
  NYU Langone Medical Center is an academic medical center in New York City affiliated with New York University. It was named to the Honor Roll of U.S. News "Best Hospitals" in the nation for 2009-2010. The Medical Center comprises NYU School of Medicine and three hospitals: Tisch Hospital, the Rusk...
  
  
• Ron Orlando, Co-Editor in Chief, University Of Georgia
  University of Georgia
  The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
  
  

ABRF Executive Board

• Tony Yeung, President Fox Chase Cancer Center
  Fox Chase Cancer Center
  The Fox Chase Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center research facility and hospital located in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The main facilities of the center are located on property adjoining Burholme Park...
  
  
• Arnold Falick, Secretary/Treasurer Howard Hughes Medical Institute Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, UC Berkeley
• George Grills Cornell University Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center
• David Friedman, Vanderbilt University
• Karen Jonscher, University of Colorado
• Thomas Neubert, New York University School of Medicine
• Brett Phinney UC Davis Genome Center - Proteomics Core Facility
• Jack Simpson, National Cancer Institute at Frederick

External links

• Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities ABRF
• Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology FASEB
• ABRF Discussion Forum
• Journal of Biomolecular Techniques
• A typical core facility
  Molecular Biology Core Facilities (MBCF)
  The Molecular Biology Core Facilities was created to allow investigators at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute access to cutting edge molecular biology tools which would be tested and developed in a shared setting. Collaborations can be set up with anyone in the world...
  
  ; This site is randomly selected from ABRF core facilities.
• ABRF at LinkedIn