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The Core Incentive Plan (CIP) is back for 2025!

CIP is an internal funding initiative administered by UConn OVPR that provides seed funding to faculty from UConn Storrs to be allocated for research projects that specifically engage UConn's world-class diverse core facilities.

Learn more about the CIP

BioBehavioral Lab

BioBehavioral Research Lab

The Biobehavioral Research Lab (BBL) provides UConn faculty and students with new avenues to explore biobehavioral science, using state-of-the-art technology to further their understanding of the intersections of biology and behavior. The BBL is committed to supporting and promoting research in the use of biobehavioral measures and physiological, genetic, and genomic approaches. We offer dry lab spaces at both the UConn Storrs campus and UCHC with the ability to conduct human subjects research (e.g., interviews, behavioral assessment, intervention administration) and collect samples (e.g., blood, saliva samples, buccal swabs). Our wet lab on UConn Storrs campus accommodates short- and long-term sample storage, sample pre-processing (such as blood components separation and DNA or RNA extraction), and sample analyses for both human and animal samples. Our lab specializes in ELISAs to quantify numerous hormones, antibodies, and proteins, and an assortment of thermocycler and real-time PCR techniques including SNP genotyping.

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General Contact

BioBehavioral Lab
sonbbl@uconn.edu

Staff

A headshot of Natalie Shook against a gray background.

Natalie Shook, Ph.D.
Director
natalie.shook@uconn.edu

A headshot of Meredith Kuzel against a gray background.

Meredith Kuzel, MS
Laboratory Manager
meredith.kuzel@uconn.edu

A headshot of Stephen Wetherell against a gray background.

Stephen Wetherell
Laboratory Technician
stephen.wetherell@uconn.edu

Location

Campus Address

Storrs Campus
Wet Lab: Charles Lewis Beach Hall Rms 127-131
Dry Lab: Jamie Homero Arjona Bldg Rm 123, 119
UCHC Farmington Dry Lab: Located in the Dental Care Clinic

Mailing Address

354 Mansfield Rd., Unit 1045
Storrs, CT 06269

Instrumentation

Quantative Sensory Equipment

  • Algomed Computerized Pressure Algometer
  • Medoc Pathway
  • Medoc TSA II
  • Neurometer (neuroslective sensory nerve conduction threshold)
  • Weighted Probes (tips between 8mm - 512m)

Participant Sample Collection and Physical Exam Space

  • Private blood collection area
  • Biospecimen collection space
  • Sit-&-Reach Table and Tanita Scale
  • Large Space for Movement Based Intervention
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Beach Hall Instrumentation

A cube shaped machine with a gray base, and a tinted blue window into a testing area. There is a small screen on the device.

QIAcube Connect

For automated purification of DNA, RNA, and proteins.

A white rectangle shaped machine with buttons and a small display panel.

VERSAmax Plate Reader: ELISA

The Ella machine. An orange and white cube with testing material inside and on the right of the image.

ELLA

Automated immunoassay with multiplexing capabilities.

A white machine with blue accents, and a screen showing different options.

Step-One Plus RT-PCR

For SNP Genotyping and other genetic assays.

A white device with a screen and green accents.

Bio-Rad Thermal Cycler

Standard PCR for gel genotyping.

A white machine with blue and gray buttons and details.

BioSpectrometer

A small silver device with a blue screen.

Qubit Flex Fluorometer

Accurately measures concentration of DNA, RNA, and Proteins in 8 samples simultaneously.

A cone-shaped device with a blue base, a clear top with mechanisms underneath, and a screen on the front.

Fast-Prep-24 5G

Used for hair and nail cortisol extractions.

A white machine with a screen showing medical data.

Invitrogen E-Gel Electrophoresis Device & Camera

An image of a gray freezer in a small lab room.

-80 Freezers

Short or long-term storage available.

A white container with a red lid.

Liquid Nitrogen Cryotank

What support does BBL offer researchers?

The Biobehavioral Research Laboratory aims to support the different projects of UConn faculty and students by providing:

  • Space for the recruitment of participants and data collection.
    • One room approved by EHS to collect biological samples, such as blood, saliva, and buccal swabs.
    • A second room for physical examination, behavioral assessment, or interviews.
  • Staff to organize and clean research areas following applicable UConn EH&S regulations.
  • Access to shared calendars to schedule participant appointments.
  • Guidelines on how to collect biological samples and store them.
  • Transportation of samples from the behavioral lab in Arjona Hall to our wet lab in Beach Hall for storage and processing.
  • Staff available between 8:30am to 5:00pm to assist in case of emergencies when you are with your participant.

Which services does BBL offer for a fee?

The Biobehavioral Research Laboratory constantly looks to improve and add to our list of services. If you do not see what you are interested in below, please reach out to discuss with us!  We offer service validations whenever possible.

Related to participant recruitment and data collection:

  • Bio-specimen collection (blood, saliva, buccal swabs)
  • Blood collection kits and sample label printing services
  • Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - pain threshold assessment with temperature, vibration, and pressure
    • Equipment use training
    • Protocol set up
  • REDCAP and Qualtrics project setup

Related to samples processing:

  • Sample pre-processing (sample aliquoting, blood components separations)
  • DNA and RNA extraction and quantification from biological samples
  • SNP genotyping  (TaqMan existing assays)
  • ELISA test in Ella Simple Plex (one or multiple analytes at a time), or traditional ELISAs in plate reader
  • PCR and gel electrophoresis
  • Sample storage (limited to available space)