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Sperm Cell Analysis

Center for Quantitative Cell Analysis
The Pennsylvania State University
8B Althouse Lab
University Park, PA 16802 

Head: Dr. Roy H. Hammerstedt, Director
Elaine Kunze, Laboratory Supervisor

1. Facilities: General biochemistry lab, tissue culture facility, animal care facilities, EM lab, routine availability of bull, chicken, and ram (in season) semen, computer facilities.

2. Instrumentation:
Flow cytometry: EPICS 753 dual laser, configuration available for simultaneous UV and visible excitation.
Other major items: Meridian ACAS 570 interactive laser cytometer, fluorescent photomicroscope (with UV cube), fluorescent plate reader, One-Cell System gel microdroplet maker.
Computer & analytical: Data are routinely transferred via Coulter Flownet to IBM PC. Software includes Coulter Elite 4.0, MDADS; non-cytometry software includes WordPerfect 6.0, QuattroPro, Aldus Pagemaker 5.0, Harvard Graphics. Ethernet and relevant software to connect to Medline and reference material.

3. Specialization Areas: Three-color studies correlating viability, acrosomal integrity, and mitochondrial function with standard microscopic assessment. Studies in sperm cryoprotection; critical osmolality, and hydraulic conductivity. Kinetic-based assays correlating Ca++ or Zn++ with acrosomal integrity (UV and visible). Multicolor lectin binding studies. Extensive experience with sperm cells from a variety of species (including bull, ram, horse, chicken, human, hamster, rat, and bat).

4. Special Opportunities: Preparation and staining of sperm cells. We typically use bull cells for training because of routine availability. Experimental set-up: light scattering profiles and appropriate gates, problems with cytoplasmic droplets and sperm shape. Kinetic studies if desired.

5. Special Courses Offered: We offer courses in flow cytometry applications and general flow cytometry usage.

6. Graduate Program: None at this time.

7. Local Accommodations: Stevens Motel ($30/night, 15 minute walk). Nittany Lion Inn (on campus, $82-108/night). Days Inn (in State College, 10 minute walk, $69/night)

8. Transportation: The University Park Airport is serviced by United (Dallas), USAir (Pittsburgh), and Northwest (Detroit).

9. Cost of Internship: Depends on the studies required. Typically $500/week would cover 10 hours of flow cytometry instrumentation time.

10. Communication:

Elaine Kunze
Laboratory Supervisor
8B Althouse Lab
University Park, PA 16802

Phone: (814) 863-2762
(814) 863-2791
FAX: (814) 865-2413
E-mail: ek4@psuvm.psu.edu