NCTR, Office of Scientific Coordination

The Office of Scientific Coordination provides the professional support necessary to conduct toxicology studies that support FDA’s and NCTR’s research mission, including analytical chemistry, nanotechnology, microbiological surveillance, and statistics.

• • HPLC and UHPLC/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS; UHPLC/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) technology
  • Gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS technology
  • Spectroscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry technology
  • Gas chromatography with specialized detection (Nitrogen-Phosphorous, flame ionization, electron capture, thermionic specific) and chiral separation technology
  • Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBFSEM)
  • Micro Extraction Gas Chromatography with Mass Selective Detection (SPME/GC/MS)
  • Trace metals analysis using Inductively-Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS), and coupled to HPLC for speciation work
  • Nitrogen/protein quantitation via combustion analysis
  • Microbial identification/biochemical characterization
  • Microbial molecular characterization/genomics

Equipment available includes:

• • SEM and TEM with Energy-Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy
  • FESEM
  • Low Voltage Electron Microscopy
  • Atomic force microscope
  • Optical, confocal raman, and hyperspectral imaging
  • UV-Vis Spectrophotometry, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy
  • Dynamic, static, and X-ray scattering instruments
  • HPLC with UV-Vis, Fluorescence, Charged Aerosol Detector, and evaporative light scattering detectors and mass spetrometry
  • UHPLC/MS and UHPLC/MS/MS systems with detection by electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization
  • Flow fractionation instruments
  • Inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS), with HPLC separations
  • LECO nitrogen-protein combustion instrument
  • Post-column HPLC derivatization instrumentation
  • Solid phase extraction (cartridges and 96-well plate)
  • TGA/DSC instruments
  • Hyphenated Thermogravimetric Analyzer with FTIR-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Real-time PCR systems
  • Bruker MALDI Biotyper
  • Microbial Identification systems (BioLog OmniLog; bioMerieux Vitek)
  • NGS system (Illumina MiSeq)

All potential use of NCTR equipment must be aligned with NCTR’s mission and may require a technology transfer agreement:

NCTR conducts scientific research to generate data for FDA decision making, and develops and supports innovative tools and approaches that FDA uses to protect and promote individual and public health.