Research Cores

In this section:

Research Cores

Biochemical Analysis Core (BAC)

The Biochemical Analysis Core (BAC) at Texas A&M University–San Antonio supports the Chemistry, Biology, Environmental, and Natural Science programs commitment to rigorous education and research in the fundamentals that underpins biology, medicine, environmental science, and materials research, while expanding hands-on access to advanced instrumentation for undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research. Housed within the Department of Natural Sciences, the BAC enables students and investigators to apply biochemical theories and analytical methods to real-world problems, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on critical thinking, independent inquiry, and preparation for laboratory careers or graduate study. By providing specialized capabilities in chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry, the core complements the department’s existing instrumentation portfolio and strengthens high-impact research, internship, and collaborative opportunities across the South Texas region.

The BAC is equipped with an Agilent 7890 Gas Chromatography system paired with a 5975C MSD mass spectrometer for volatile and semi-volatile compound analysis, a Waters Xevo TQD triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for targeted quantitative LC-MS/MS workflows, and a Thermo TSQ Endura triple quadrupole mass spectrometer configured with direct-inject electrospray, nanospray, and paper spray ionization sources. These platforms support sensitive detection and quantification of small molecules, metabolites, and biomolecules in complex matrices, enabling applications in biochemical pathway analysis, environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical characterization, and method development. Together, the instruments advance both instructional laboratories and independent research projects, giving students practical experience with modern analytical techniques while expanding the university’s capacity for interdisciplinary biochemical studies.

Core Facilities

Texas A&M University–San Antonio’s Core Facilities provide an integrated suite of advanced research infrastructure designed to support discovery, training, and scholarly activity across the undergraduate, graduate, and faculty levels. The cores include state-of-the-art Microscopy, Genomics, High-Performance Computing (HPC), Biochemical Analysis, Field Analysis, Writing, and Exercise and Biomechanical Physiology resources. These facilities equip researchers and students with specialized instrumentation, analytical platforms, computational capacity, and expert technical support, enabling projects that range from cellular and molecular investigations to field-based environmental studies, computational modeling, and human performance research. By offering shared access to high-cost equipment and specialized expertise, the cores lower barriers to participation and allow faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates to pursue rigorous experimental, analytical, and computational work within a single, coordinated research environment.

Microscope and Syringe The Core Facilities are structured to serve both education and research missions, providing hands-on training opportunities that build technical proficiency while advancing ongoing scholarly projects. Undergraduates gain early exposure to professional-grade instrumentation and methods; graduate students receive the technical depth and collaborative resources needed for thesis and dissertation research; and faculty benefit from reliable access to sophisticated tools that strengthen grant competitiveness and publication quality. Dedicated cores in writing and exercise and biomechanical physiology further support the full research lifecycle, from experimental design and data collection through analysis, interpretation, and dissemination, while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration!