Labs

The AAGL is dedicated to estimating the ages of quaternary (< 2 million years old) deposits by analyzing the extent of racemization of amino acids preserved within carbonate fossils. The lab uses both conventional ion-exchange and reverse-phase ion exchange liquid chromatographs for separating and detecting amino acids. The lab is supported in part as a shared facility by the National Science Foundation.

The imaging and histology core facility provides imaging services to faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, along with our industry partners. This is accomplished through excellence in education, research, mentoring, and technology.

The NAU Genetics Core Facility (GCF) is a multi-user research laboratory designed for diverse biological applications. This high-throughput laboratory is a regional resource center that supports molecular genetic analyses and training across a wide user base including regional academic, government, and private institutions.

The imaging and histology core facility consists of:

• a transmission electron microscope (JEOL 1200EX II)
• a scanning electron microscope (LEO 425VP)
• a McBain Instruments confocal microscope
• numerous ancillary equipment for specimen fixation and preparation, including cryopreparations

The laboratory analyzes physical, biological and isotopic properties of sediment to interpret past environmental and climate changes. The laboratory specializes in analyzing sedimentary biogenic-silica content, particle-size distribution, and magnetic susceptibility. Laboratory personnel have expertise in taxonomic identifications of freshwater ostracodes.