Research Capabillities

Genetic Analysis

• Isolate and sequence DNA fragments from specific genes or regions of a genome
• Gene Functional Testing using transient and stable expression systems in Arabidopsis, cacao, tobacco and other systems.
• Gene annotation and evolutionary analysis
• Measure expression levels of genes via transcriptome sequencing
• Promoter analysis: discovery of tissue specific or regulated promoters

Proteomics

• Protein identification by mass spectrometry
• Shotgun proteomics analysis

Pathology

• In vitro bioassay for Phytopthora infection
• Automated phenotyping of Phytopthora lesion development

Compositional Characterization

• FAME analysis by GC-FID and GC-MS
• Triglyceride analysis by GC-FID
• Volatile profiling by GC-MS with SPME, HS, and LLE
• Gas chromatography-olfactometry
• Access to HPLC-MS/MS for non-volatile characterization (polyphenols, sugar analysis, etc.)
• Measure elemental compositions (P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, Al, Zn, Na, Cd, Ni, Pb, Mo, S, C, N) of plant tissues

Targeted phytochemical analysis

• In vitro bioassays to measuring antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti-cancer activity
• Mouse models to measure anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activity
• Experience with human subjects measuring oxidative stress and inflammation markers

Biochemometrics

• biomarker identification (disease markers, bioactive chemistry markers)

Small molecule extraction/isolation

• Flash chromatography
• Analytical and semi-preparatory HPLC
• Small molecule structure elucidation (MS, 1D and 2D NMR)

In vitro assays

• Human gut health
• Hypertension
• Antibacterial (Gram+ and Gram-)
• Antifungal (Candida sp.)
• Antioxidant

Chocolate Specific Analyses

• Cocoa butter melting and tempering properties (DSC, NMR, XRD)
• Chocolate viscosity and hardness (steady shear, oscillatory rheology, TA-XT2)
• Crystallinity and crystal form (XRD)
• Particle surface area (BET sorption)
• Particle size and shape (SEM)
• Fat crystallization (light microscopy)

Sensory & Consumer Science

• Acceptability
• Descriptive Analysis with consumers and trained panels
• Discrimination/Similarity testing
• Rapid methods to characterize samples
• Consumer perception of extrinsic and intrinsic characteristics, etc.

Core Facilities: Innumerable other capabilities exist is our core facilities. You can learn about these here: https://www.huck.psu.edu. As a sponsor of Penn State Research programs you have access to these facilities at our internal and heavily subsidized rates.