Texas A&M Preclinical Phenotyping Core

Providing a multitude of services on broad Post-Genomic Assays of biochemical,
preclinical, rodent phenotyping, and environmental toxicant studies.

SUBMIT on Ilabs Faqs

Welcome to the Texas A&M Preclinical Phenotyping Core (TPPC)

The TPPC provides a wide range of advanced instrumentation to measure and quantify mouse physiology and behavior. With deep expertise in preclinical phenotyping across diverse mouse and small animal models, we support researchers throughout every stage of translational research.

Our Services

From project planning to data collection, TPPC offers expert consultation to help you select the most effective molecular, physiological, and behavioral assays to meet your research goals. Our core supports a robust suite of tools for metabolic, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, behavioral, cancer, immune, histology, and other molecular studies—delivering comprehensive phenotyping services for animal models. We also provide access to instrumentation for generating preliminary data to strengthen new grant applications.

TPPC operates on a fee-for-service basis and offers access to shared-use equipment and workspace.

New to TPPC?
If you’re a first-time user, please start by filling out our Consultation Request Form so we can better understand your project needs.

Returning user?
For returning users, complete the Sample Submission Form, which can also be found on iLab.

Contact Us

For questions specific to TPPC, their services, and their pricing, contact Sunja Kim at:

TPPC

Services

The Texas A&M Preclinical Phenotyping Core (TPPC) offers over 45 clinical chemistry assays for plasma, serum, and urine samples using the Beckman Coulter DxC 700 AU clinical chemistry analyzer. We also provide comprehensive histology services—from tissue fixation to stained and prepared slides—using advanced Leica instrumentation, including the ASP300 Tissue Processor, EG1150 Embedding Center, HistoCore SPECTRA Workstation, Microtome, and CM1950 Cryostat.
At TPPC, we’re committed to providing high-quality services at competitive rates. You can access our full catalog of services and pricing through the iLab portal or see pricing here.

iLab

Chemistry Assays

Using our Beckman Coulter DxC 700 AU Chemistry Analyzer with ISE, we offer a wide range of serum, plasma, and urine assays. Available tests include, but are not limited to, albumin, total protein, ALP, ALT, AST, bilirubin, LDH, BUN, electrolytes (potassium, sodium, chloride), glucose, creatinine, calcium, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, NEFA and T4. For a complete list of available assays, please refer to our sample submission form.

Sample Submission Form

Complete Blood Count

Our Vetscan HM5 Hematology Analyzer offers complete blood count (CBC), offering either 18- or 22-parameter panels with 3- or 5-part differentials, depending on the specimen type. Samples should be collected in EDTA tubes and ideally filled at least half the tube to ensure accurate analysis.

Histology Services

We offer both FFPE and frozen tissue preparation using Leica histology equipment—tissue processing with ASP300S, embedding with EG1150, sectioning with Rotary Microtome RM 2165 or Cryostat CM1950, and automated staining and coverslipping with HistoCore Spectra Workstation. We currently offer H&E, PAS, and Gomori’s Trichrome for staining. Please contact us if you are interested in a different stain.
 
Through collaboration with our Molecular Genomics Core, spatial single-cell transcriptomics is available via the 10x Genomics Visium CytAssist platform.
 
Embedding, microtome, and cryostat are also available as shared workplace equipment.

10x Genomics Visium CytAssist

Shared Workspace Equipment

The TPPC offers a wide range of equipment available for reservation and self-operation. To use the equipment, you must be a registered user in iLab and complete a training session with one of our staff members. Below is a list of items in the shared equipment area, along with instructions on how to register as a user. All equipment listed below can also be operated by staff for an additional fee.

Location: REYN

Clinical Pathology

Osmolality measurement is available via OsmoPro Multi-sample Micro-Osmometer, requiring only 20 µL of sample. Complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry assays are available through service requests and performed by staff.

Location: REYN

Histology

Cryostat (Leica CM1950), tissue embedding station (Leica EG1150), and rotary microtome (Leica RM2165) are available for shared workspace. Tissue processing (Leica ASP300S) and staining/coverslipping (Leica HistoCore Spectra Workstation) are available through service requests and performed by staff.

Location: REYN

Protein

Perform multiplex assays with Bio-Rad Bio-Plex Luminex or capillary-based immunoassays and fully automated Western blot analysis with ProteinSimple Jess Automated Western Blot System, which integrates the principles of Western blotting and ELISA.


Location: REYN

TSE Whole Body Inhalation Chamber

Toxicant exposure (gas, vapor, and aerosol) in the animal’s own cage.

Location: REYN

TubeWriter 360

Print on a variety of items, including tubes, vials, microscope slides, and more, in various sizes.

Location: LArr

Behavioral/Skeletomuscular

We offer a variety of tests, from skeletomuscular qualities to behavioral and learning tasks, including maze navigation and fear conditioning. Detection for all mazes, except for TruScan and the Water Maze, is supported by Noldus EthoVision.

Instruments:
DigiGait
Chatillon Force Measurement
Coulbourn Habitest System
Open Field (8 mice at a time)
Three Chamber Sociability (3 mice at a time)
Barnes Maze
Radial Arm Maze
Rotarod Test (5 rats or mice at a time)
Water Maze

Location: LARR

Cardiovascular

Obtain electrocardiograms and blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial) from awake mice or rats using non-invasive methods, with real-time waveform displays.


Instruments:
ECGenie
Hatteras Multi-Channel Blood Pressure Analysis System (4 mice or rats at a time, tail-cuff method)

Location: LARR (EchoMRI-900 in MREB ii)

Rodent Imaging

Mouse anesthesia is available with SomnoSuite for ultrasound and endoscopy procedures. EchoMRI measures fat, lean mass, free water, and total water mass in live, awake animals.

Instruments:
EchoMRI-100
EchoMRI-900
Vevo 3100 Ultrasound
Stortz Endoscope

Location: LARR & MREB II

Metabolic

Measure food and drink consumption, locomotor activity, and O2/CO2 levels with the PhenoMaster, and collect urine and fecal samples using the Metabolic Cage for further analysis.

Instruments:
TSE PhenoMaster (32 cages a time)
Hatteras Metabolic Cage (30 cages a time)


Requirements for Working with TPPC

1. AUP confirmation for behavior tests

All behavior tests conducted in the core should be listed in your Animal Use Protocol (AUP). Please contact us if you have any questions or need assistance in designing your research project with TPPC service or preparing an AUP, Manuscripts, or Grant proposals.

2. iLab Account

To use our services and equipment, you must have a valid iLab account with an unexpired funding source.

Creating an iLab Account:

  1. Go to TPPC iLab.
  2. Sign up using your TAMU or institution credentials.
  3. Click the three-bar icon in the upper left corner (next to the Agilent Cross Lab logo).
  4. Go to Manage Groups > My Groups.
  5. If your lab group is not listed, click Request Group Access and follow the instructions.
  6. Your PI or Lab/Group Manager must approve your request and add a funding source.

3. Equipment Reservation

To reserve equipment on iLab, you must have “trained user” status, which is granted after completing training (free of charge). If you’re already trained or have prior experience, you can request to skip the training by emailing tppc@tamu.edu.

Once you have trained user status, go to TPPC iLab and click the Schedule Equipment tab to create a reservation.

Staff assistance is available for a per-hour fee.

Quicklinks

Locations

All locations open 24/7, staffed Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Core Acknowledgment

Publications describing research that takes place in the TPPC or containing data collected from TPPC equipment shall include the following statement in the acknowledgment section: “Use of the Texas A&M Rodent Preclinical Phenotyping Core is acknowledged.”