Facilities and resources
Laboratory resources and equipment plan
Grant proposals have to show where the work will be done and with what. This page lists the capabilities our projects need, grouped by priority, so that partner institutions and core facilities can see where their resources fit.
How to read this plan
Not everything here needs to be bought. Many items exist in university core facilities and partner laboratories, and using them is often better science and a better use of grant funds. For each capability, a proposal will state whether it is provided by OncoFirm, by a named partner or requested in the budget.
Capabilities by area
Immunoassay and lateral flow development
Reagent dispensing, strip lamination and cutting, conjugation, drying and controlled-humidity storage.
Antibody, protein and biomarker work
Protein quantification, plate-based immunoassays for reference comparison, and purification and labeling tools.
Fluorescence and optical development
Fluorescence readers and imaging, a spectrometer, optical bench components and reference standards.
Analytical validation and quality control
Calibrated pipettes and balances, environmental and stability chambers, and traceable measurement standards.
Clinical specimen handling
A Class II biological safety cabinet, centrifuges, and monitored cold storage at 2–8°C, −20°C and −80°C.
Prototype manufacturing
3D printing and cassette assembly tools, automated dispensing and inspection as work scales.
Data and computing
Secure storage, analysis workstations and version-controlled software development.
General laboratory infrastructure
Benches, safety equipment, purified water and waste handling.
Priority tiers
| Tier | Purpose | Examples | Likely source |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. Essential | Feasibility and prototype work | Pipettes, balances, centrifuges, cold storage, fluorescence reader, microplate reader, strip dispenser and cutter, biosafety cabinet | Partner laboratory or first-stage grant budget |
| II. Advanced development | Optimization and analytical validation | Fluorescence imaging, spectrometer, environmental chambers, 3D prototyping, automated dispensing | Core facilities, second-stage grant budget |
| III. Scale-up and clinical | Validation lots and clinical studies | Automated assembly, vision inspection, reader calibration stations, expanded specimen storage and computing | Manufacturing partner, later-stage funding |
Human-specimen work is conducted only under applicable biosafety, IRB, institutional, contractual and regulatory requirements.
If your facility can help
Core facilities, incubators and partner laboratories can be written into a proposal as a resource, with user fees or a subaward budgeted for. Tell us what you have through a collaboration inquiry. Partner roles and agreements explains how facility access is documented, and the grant programs page lists the program types in scope.
Frequently asked questions
Does OncoFirm need a partner with a full laboratory?
Not necessarily. Access to specific capabilities, such as a biosafety cabinet and cold storage for specimen work, can be enough for a defined task.
Can equipment be requested in a grant budget?
Often yes, within each program’s limits and with justification. Reviewers generally prefer use of existing facilities where they are available.
Is this a purchasing list?
No. It is a statement of capabilities the research requires, shared so partners can see where they could contribute.
Research and regulatory status
OncoFirm™ technologies described on this site are in research and development. Their performance characteristics have not been established, and no OncoFirm product has been cleared, approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Nothing here is medical advice. Reference to a federal agency or funding program does not imply endorsement, funding, sponsorship or affiliation.