BRC expands support for life sciences research at Cornell

The Biotechnology Resource Center (BRC) - a set of core facilities providing shared, cutting-edge resources for life sciences research - is enhancing and expanding its support with new computing and artificial intelligence capabilities, laboratory space, research seed credits, training opportunities and advanced instrumentation.

The slate of new initiatives stems from a monthslong review of the BRC, which is part of the Cornell Institute of Biotechnology. The plan will connect specialized technologies, expertise and resources with more than 600 research groups across five colleges, Weill Cornell Medicine and various cross-university units and institutes, and is being implemented through a collaborative effort led by BRC core directors and Marcus Smolka, associate vice provost and interim director of the institute.

"We wanted to develop a more community-driven approach to technology and innovation at Cornell, one that brings researchers, core facilities and university leadership together to identify emerging needs, coordinate investments and make the most of our shared resources," said Smolka, who is also professor of molecular biology and genetics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The review was charged by Gary Koretzky '78, vice provost for research, as part of his efforts to strengthen and reimagine Cornell's core facilities for increased impact.

"The BRC and other core facilities are critical to research at Cornell," Koretzky said. "This effort goes far beyond acquiring equipment. We need an integrated plan that connects our diverse research community with specialized technology, expertise and resources, and aligns with university priorities."

Smolka led the review, which was conducted from October 2025 to May 2026 by a cross-college committee, working with BRC and Research and Innovation leadership, core facility directors, college and department representatives, and the broader research community.

The updates are part of the BRC's response to a request for information launched earlier this year, which generated more than 120 submissions identifying more than 200 specific research needs across 24 departments and five colleges.

AI for research

The BRC is also bringing researchers together to share best practices, develop guidelines for appropriate use and evaluate emerging AI tools. In close collaboration with Natalie Bazarova, associate vice provost, professor of communication in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a member of Cornell's AI Strategy Council, the BRC will expand support for AI-enabled research in a variety of ways.

The BRC's Communities of Practice for AI-Enabled Research (CoPAIR) initiative recently launched a pilot focused on genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, imaging and structural biology.

"The goal is not simply to introduce researchers to new AI tools, but to create communities where researchers can share experiences, evaluate approaches and develop practices that can be used by others," Smolka said. "The BRC is serving as the scaffolding through which the program can be developed and additional CoPAIR program opportunities for researchers from other fields will be announced soon."

Further, the Bioinformatics Facility has implemented BioSlurm, a new subscription-based computing cluster designed to maximize the use of computing resources and increase accessibility to AI-enabled data analysis.

Instrumentation enhancements

New cutting-edge instrumentation through NIH S10 grants will continue to provide another avenue for researchers to pursue emerging research questions, aligning BRC resources with areas of growing research demand, Smolka said.

Recent acquisitions include an Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer at the Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility and a light-sheet microscope for the Imaging Facility. In addition, a proposal for a spectral sorter, allowing researchers to isolate complex cell populations with high precision, was submitted by the Flow Cytometry Facility in response to a need identified through the request for information.

Researchers are encouraged to connect with the BRC to provide further suggestions for S10 proposals, Smolka said.

An Imaging Facility technician with the NIH S10 funded Light Sheet from LifeCanvas Technologies.

New shared lab, support and training

A new shared laboratory, currently in development, will provide space, equipment, training and protocols for researchers to gain hands-on expertise in sample preparation on multiple levels, including work related to single-cell and spatial transcriptomics and proteomics, tissue preparation and DNA, RNA and protein extraction. The lab will also allow researchers with specialized expertise to help develop new methods and workflows in consultation with BRC scientific staff.

"The space is also intended to help preserve expertise within the university," Smolka said. "Rather than having knowledge about a particular technology reside with one researcher or leave with a departing postdoctoral researcher, the shared lab will provide a place where researchers can develop, document and share protocols."

The shared lab is expected to open early next year, with its capabilities evolving as research needs change.

The Epigenomics Facility's Eppendorf epMotrion 5075 is an automated liquid handling workstation used to perform high-precision pipetting, dispensing, and sample processing.

The BRC is also expanding training and consultation opportunities. A new task force is developing workshops, office hours and a more centralized system for researchers to seek assistance and connect with BRC expertise. A centralized BRC events calendar helps researchers find workshops and other engagement opportunities.

A recent workshop on AI-assisted de novo genome assembly, for example, drew more than 100 participants, Smolka said.

Additionally, the BRC is adopting a seedcredit program to help researchers access BRC technologies and services. The program offers two levels of support, up to $5,000 and $20,000 in BRC credits, intended to help researchers test new technologies, generate preliminary data for a grant proposal or complete experiments for an upcoming publication. The application period is now open, with a Dec. 4 deadline.

"The BRC will identify, coordinate, streamline, accelerate and strengthen new technologies across research groups and disciplines during this period of rapid change," Koretzky said. "These enhancements will keep Cornell at the forefront of innovation."