The Research Technologies Branch (RTB) was established to provide researchers access to leading-edge technologies and specialized expertise through a tightly integrated, highly effective approach to study complex biological problems. Advances in optics, lasers, and computational biology have revolutionized well-established disciplines such as microscopy (light and electron), flow cytometry, genomic and proteomics. These technologies require integration and more importantly highly trained specialized scientists to adapt these new technologies to the research needs of the Institute’s diverse research agenda. The Branch implements state of the art research technologies and project-specific applications for the NIAID intramural research program in collaboration with current researchers along with a network of facilities located in Bethesda and Rockville, Maryland, as well as Hamilton, Montana. RTB Sections & Technological Resources include biological imaging, protein chemistry, electron microscopy, structural biology, flow cytometry, visual and medical arts, genetics and genomics, integrated data science. These technologies require integration and more importantly highly trained specialized scientists to adapt these new technologies to the research needs of the institute’s diverse research agenda.
By developing a collaborative relationship with NIAID investigators, the RTB provides customized resources that meet the specific research needs of each NIAID investigator that uses resources throughout the branch as required by the scientific research scope.
Featured Research
NIH Center for Human Immunology, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity (CHI)
The NIH Center for Human Immunology, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity (CHI) is a trans-NIH initiative whose mission is to provide a collaborative resource to enable high-dimensional multiplex immune phenotyping for NIH clinical studies.
Integrated Data Sciences Section
The Research Technology Branch (RTB) Integrated Data Sciences Section (IDSS) is an integrated group of scientists who leverage computational tools to advance scientific understanding of complex biological problems.
NIH Intramural CryoEM Consortium
NIH Intramural CryoEM Consortium serves intramural investigators in all NIH IC's. Fine detailed 3D maps computed by electron micrographs spark numerous biological insights in cancer research, vaccine design, cell development, and human physiological and functional studies.
Collaborative Research Technologies
Working with RTB
By developing a collaborative relationship with NIAID investigators, the RTB provides customized resources that meet the specific research needs of each NIAID investigator that uses resources throughout the branch as required by the scientific research scope.
The value of this program is in the accrued scientific knowledge and the centralized and efficient management of technology by experts that design, perform and evaluate experiments conducted using state of the art equipment for the NIAID researcher. There is no commercial equivalent to the aggregated breadth and depth of expertise and capabilities that the RTB offers to address all the biological questions. The proximity of the RTB to the NIAID community provides investigators with direct access to the program’s management and scientists; the level of communication is significantly greater than available at any commercial vendor.
Currently, collaborating with RTB is only available for NIAID lab scientists, however, RTB’s vision is to open all resources to the entire NIH and collaborate with other government agencies.
Contact Information
Elizabeth Fischer, M.A., Deputy Director
Julie B. Hartman, Director of Operations
In addition, each service offers direct contact information for that service.
Currently, collaborating with RTB is only available to federally funded institutions. Researchers may access all RTB support services by visiting RTB on Inside NIAID (this link is only available to NIAID lab scientists).