Mizzou Advanced Technology Core Facilities Drive Innovation And Discovery

By Brian Consiglio

April 28, 2026
Contact: Brian Consiglio, [email protected]
Photos by Abbie Lankitus

At the University of Missouri, breakthrough discoveries are powered by cutting-edge tools, expert support and collaborative spaces.

Across campus, Mizzou's advanced technology core facilities bring shared access to advanced technologies that help researchers quickly move ideas from concept to impact. These spaces allow scientists to tackle pressing challenges, develop better treatments, strengthen agriculture and drive the state's economy forward.

"The cutting-edge instrumentation Mizzou faculty use here elevates their science to a level that is among the best in the country," said Christian Lorson, associate vice chancellor for research and strategic initiatives. "These core facilities are interdisciplinary, supporting the collaborative culture that defines Mizzou."

Open to campus researchers, industry partners and academic collaborators, these facilities expand Mizzou's reach and deliver results that improve lives in Missouri and beyond.

Step inside five of Mizzou's core facilities and see how these shared resources drive real-world solutions.

Electron Microscopy Core

Signature capabilities
Housed in the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building, this facility includes powerful microscopes that fire beams of electrons instead of light. These electron microscopes magnify cells, proteins and tissues thousands of times beyond standard microscopes, allowing researchers to visualize the internal workings of life.

Why it matters
By seeing disease at its earliest and most detailed levels, scientists can design treatments that are more precise, effective and tailored to individual patients. This translates into improved care for conditions such as heart disease and glaucoma.

Who uses it
Managed by Director Min Su, this core serves medical researchers, those studying fundamental biology and materials scientists.

Prabhavanthi Maddineni, an assistant professor in the School of Medicine, uses the microscopes to study glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. Zachary Berndsen, an assistant professor in the School of Medicine, used the facility to discover the structure of a protein tied to heart disease - laying the groundwork for more targeted treatments.

"We call this technology the resolution revolution," Su said. "By getting a clearer look at a molecular level, the research here helps us better understand the basics of biology, which can potentially translate to designing better drugs."

Advanced Light Microscopy Core

Signature capabilities
Based in the Bond Life Sciences Center, this facility allows researchers to observe living cells in real time using high-resolution imaging. Scientists can watch how cells behave, interact and respond to treatment.

Why it matters
Understanding how diseases develop and how cells respond to specific medications helps researchers answer critical questions earlier. These insights advance precision medicine, agriculture and biotechnology.

Who uses it
Directed by Tara Finegan, the core supports a range of research across disciplines.

Paul de Figueiredo, a professor in the School of Medicine and Bond LSC principal investigator, develops new cancer therapies using these tools. Lei Lei, an associate professor in the School of Medicine, studies the biological causes of infertility. Walter Gassmann, a Curators' Distinguished Professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and Bond LSC's director, investigates plant proteins that could help crops better withstand stress and disease.

"Whether investigators are working on efforts related to precision medicine or genetic engineering, seeing the amazement on their faces when they reveal structures that haven't been seen before is so fun," Finegan said. "Those moments often lead to entirely new directions in research."

Genomics Technology Core

Signature capabilities
Housed in Bond LSC, the Genomics Technology Core provides advanced sequencing technologies that decode DNA and RNA, generating massive amounts of genetic data quickly and efficiently.

Why it matters
By translating organic samples into comparable code, this core helps researchers understand disease, improve crop resilience and identify which treatments will work best for individual patients.

Who uses it
Directed by Nathan Bivens, this core is a vital resource for both academic and industry partners. External collaborators such as Altasciences use the facility to accelerate pharmaceutical testing, helping bring new therapies to market faster while contributing to Missouri's growing innovation economy. At Mizzou, Wenjun Ma, a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Medicine, studies chicken cells in this core to ultimately help protect animals and humans from highly pathogenic avian influenza.

"I'm astounded at the sheer amount of genetic data we can generate in a single run and how impactful that is for our researchers," Bivens said. "The foundational work at this core ultimately benefits Missourians statewide."

Bioinformatics and Analytics Core

Signature capabilities
Located in the Bond LSC, this core transforms massive datasets into meaningful discoveries. Powered by Mizzou's high-performance computing system, known as Hellbender, researchers can analyze complex biological data at a scale that would be impossible manually.

Why it matters
Modern science generates more data than ever before. Without the ability to analyze it efficiently, discoveries can stall. This core removes that bottleneck, helping move research from lab to clinic and field.

Who uses it
Helmed by Interim Director Hong An, this core supports researchers at Mizzou and across the globe.

Leslie Lyons, the Gilbreath-McLorn Endowed Professor of Comparative Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine, uses the system to identify genetic mutations linked to diseases in cats - work that can inform both animal and human health.This core is open to investigators from other universities as well; researchers from the University of Washington use it to study gene activity at a single-cell level.

"Helping scientists answer their biological questions is very rewarding," An said. "The information we are able to collect helps the scientific community at large, so it's rewarding to know our efforts not only help those at Mizzou but also investigators all around the world."

Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research

Signature capabilities
The Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research (LIDR) provides a secure and state-of-the-art environment for studying dangerous pathogens under strict biocontainment. Supported by the National Institutes of Health, the facility allows researchers to safely study disease transmission, test vaccines and prepare for emerging health threats.

Why it matters
Infectious diseases can spread rapidly across regions and species. Research conducted here helps protect people and communities by improving prevention strategies, strengthening response efforts and advancing vaccine development.

Who uses it
Directed by Anthony Griffiths, this lab anchors interdisciplinary research.

Henry Wan, a professor in the School of Medicine with joint appointments in the College of Engineering and the College of Veterinary Medicine, studies influenza to develop more effective vaccines. Deborah Anderson, a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, deepens her understanding of how fleas transmit the plague, informing wildlife monitoring and public health preparedness.

"We provide training to the next generation of infectious disease scientists and offer expertise, which can be especially important during pandemics," Griffiths said. "Mizzou is at the forefront of safely conducting infectious disease research, and the interdisciplinary collaboration here makes Mizzou a great location for our work to thrive."