The Clinical and Translational Research Recharge Center at the College of Health Solutions (CHS) is a collaborative shared-use research facility that provides access to state-of-the-art equipment, services and training. Located in the Arizona Biomedical Collaborative (ABC-1) and in the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) on the Downtown Phoenix campus, the HLRC offers over 11,000 square feet of clinical and behavioral research lab space. A team of staff and lab managers is available to assist research faculty with data collection and analytical services and to provide hands on training for faculty and students.
Clinical Research Suite: This area is available to researchers to use for clinical trials, blood collection by venipuncture, IV line or fingerstick, metabolic measures using glucose and meal tolerance testing and biopsy procedures for tissue collection. The space includes a waiting room with three private consent rooms, procedure area with reclining phlebotomy chairs, private and semi-private exam rooms, monitoring station with storage space and computer access, processing room with refrigerated centrifuge and biosafety cabinet, point of care equipment for instant analysis of chemistries and HgbA1c and a cleanroom for medication preparation.
Biochemistry and Molecular Lab: A wet lab equipped for analytical chemistry and molecular biology analyses including high performance liquid and gas chromatography, quantitative PCR, western blotting, immunoblotting, and chemiluminescent, fluorescent based spectrophotometer, and advanced multiplex analysis. Approximately 3000 square feet of the lab includes lab benches and space for -80 freezers and large equipment. An additional 1600 square feet houses five individual lab rooms for specialized analysis equipment and a processing room with service sink.
Cardiovascular and Exercise Physiology Laboratory: This lab offers dedicated research lab space for assessment of biomechanics, cardiovascular and endothelial function, muscle strength, endurance and power assessments, motor control and adapted exercise training. It provides access to an impressive array of research laboratory equipment including metabolic measurement systems, integrated motion monitor system, isokinetic and isometric dynamometers, cycle ergometers, high performance treadmills, noninvasive central arterial pressure waveform analyzers, ultrasound units with cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and general ultrasound imaging capabilities.
Rehabilitation and Motor Control Lab: Researchers use the lab area for data collection and have additional space available for graduate and undergraduate students to conduct data analysis. The lab includes a 13 camera Motion Analysis Corporation motion capture system focused around a bertec fully instrumented treadmill. There are also two distinct 16 channel EMG systems, (Delsys & Noraxon), a 4x16’ Protokinetics walkway, and a 4-unit “OPALS” inertial sensor system for overground gait analysis. Finally, there are resources for numerous neuropsychological evaluations and strength testing.
Research Kitchen: This resource includes 775 sq. ft. dedicated metabolic kitchen and dining area custom made for conducting feeding studies. The metabolic kitchen, approximately 400 sq. ft., is equipped with 2 full cooking stations, each with stove, microwave, sink and dishwasher, plus a 12’ x 4’ prep space between the two stations. Additional equipment includes an ice machine, 46 cu. ft. Traulsen stainless steel swing door refrigerator and freezer units and miscellaneous small appliances and cookware. Adjacent to the metabolic kitchen is a laundry room and 245 sq. ft. dining area. The dining area is set up to accommodate approximately 20 participants.
DXA Scanner: Dual-energy x-ray densitometry (DXA) scanner for bone density and/or body composition is available using a GE Lunar iDXA. Arizona law restricts performance of DXA scanning to certain specially trained medical personnel. Therefore, a dedicated radiologic technologist is on staff to conduct all DXA scans.
Additional space to support community intervention studies, survey research and other types of behavioral studies is also available.