Multiple Laboratory Facilities

BSL-2 Research Lab

In July of 2020, Sonoran began expansion of the Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research with the construction of a state-of-the-art molecular biology/phytochemistry laboratory. The Institute is working in collaboration with the natural products industry and other institutions to develop new products and improve existing botanical therapeutics through scientific exploration grounded in clinical herbalism’s rich tradition.

The Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research carries multiple laboratory facilities including a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2) molecular and cellular biology laboratory with cell/virus culture capabilities, a compound isolation laboratory, and a compound identification and quantification facility.

A Look Inside the Lab

  • Preparative HPLC
    • inc Emp.ower 3
  • Fractionation columns
  • Fraction collector
  • Detection equipment
  • LC/MS (UHPLC with DAD, SQ MS and ELSD detectors)
  • Helium tank
  • Rotary Evaporators (2)
  • Sonicator
  • Benchtop dry mixer
  • Benchtop liquid mixer
  • Oven
  • Water bath sonicator
  • Nitrogen generator
  • Prep-HPLC equipped with UV, ELSD detectors
  • Jacketed Steam Kettles for extraction
  • REAX- shakers/ extractors
  • Soxhlet Extraction
  • SpeedVac
  • Freeze Dryer
  • Microcentrifuge
  • Medium Pressure Liquid Chromatography (MPLC)
  • Incubator, CO2 x2
  • Biosafety cabinet x 2
  • Real time PCR
  • Standard PCR
  • Gel equipment (DNA, protein, western blot)
  • Gel equipment power supply
  • Film developer (dark room)
  • Inverted microscope (with camera)
  • Standard microscope (with camera)
  • Autoclave
  • Speedvac
  • Gel photo doc system
  • Light box
  • Gel drier
  • Transilluminator
  • Incubator, 37oC
  • Culture rotator
  • ELISA plate reader
  • Orbital floor shaker/incubator
  • UV liquid disinfection system
  • Fluorescent activated cell sorter
  • Fluorescent microscope
  • Liquid nitrogen tank (and delivery)
  • Water purification system
  • Vacuum pump (x2)
  • Balance/scales (x2)
  • Flammable material storage cabinet
  • Flammable storage freezer
  • UV Spectrophotometer/Fluorometer
  • Laboratory Fume Hood
  • pH meter
  • Computers (x2)
  • Refrigerator (x2)
  • -80oC freezer
  • -20oC freezer
  • Microcentrifuge x 2
  • Low speed centrifuge
  • High speed centrifuge
  • Ultracentrifuge
  • Flammable material storage cabinet
  • Vortex x 3
  • Platform rocker x 2
  • Water bath x 2
  • Heat block x 2
  • Pipettors (automatic)
  • Pipettors (manual)
  • Misc equipment (pipettes, beakers, cylinders, etc)

Research Links