At the School of Biological Sciences we have access to a lot of equipment, including confocal and electron microscopes, a flow cytometer, and RT PCR systems (see full list here: https://biology.illinoisstate.edu/research-and-facilities/facility-types/). In the lab, we have the typical stuff to conduct field and lab work, but also some equipment you may not frequently find:
- Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) system (SCA Evolution, Microptic), including a Nikon phase-contrast microscope with fluorescence, to measure sperm function traits, mainly sperm velocity, concentration, morphology, vitality, and DNA damage.
- EthoVision XT system (Noldus Information Technology), to record and analyze different types of behaviors. We also have apparatuses such as: open arena, T-maze, and elevated plus maze.
- UltraSoundGate system (Avisoft Bioacoustics, Germany), coupled with the Avisoft-SASLab Pro software, to record and analyze rodent ultrasonic vocalizations.