Scientific Instrumentation Facility

The Scientific Instrumentation Facility (SIF) and its personnel provide two types of services related to laboratory equipment and facilities to UW Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) investigators.

First, SIF maintains an array of commonly required scientific equipment for shared use (pdf opens in new tab) at Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research (WIMR) and the Clinical Science Center (CSC), in close proximity to the clinical facilities, and the McArdle Laboratory, near the nucleus of basic science departments. The shared equipment includes centrifuges, scintillation counters, phosphorimagers, fluorimagers, qPCR’s, inverted fluorescence microscope, ice makers, environmental control rooms, film processors and water purification units. The facility provides support for the purchase of these types of shared equipment, installation, and preventive maintenance and repair. The facility also coordinates repair services for all investigator-owned common laboratory instruments; maintains an alarm system for vital equipment including freezers, cold room and incubators; and maintains a list of supply centers and freezer programs.

Second, SIF facilitates the relocation of personnel or laboratory equipment, coordinates all remodeling projects, and establishes customized laboratory facilities for new faculty by collaborating with the University Physical Plant, Engineering Craft services or outside vendors. The SIF maintains an inventory of UWCCC equipment and tracks its usage, and facilitates the enforcement of UWCCC security, access, safety and space management policies.