Microbiomics and Culturomics Core Facility
Vision:
The Microbiomics and Culturomics Core Facility (MCCF), established in 2024, is dedicated to advancing microbiome science at Oklahoma State University through cutting-edge services, collaborative research, and seamless integration with diverse scientific disciplines. As a key component of the Oklahoma Center for Microbiome Research (OCMR), a COBRE (Center for Biomedical Research Excellence) center funded by the National Institutes of Health, the facility plays a vital role in fostering innovative research and supporting interdisciplinary studies in microbiome science.
Lab Space in Venture One Building
With construction and renovation completed in the Venture One building at Oklahoma State University, a 1100 sq. ft. laboratory space in Venture One houses the Microbiomics and Culturomics Core Facility. This restricted card access facility has controlled and continuously monitored temperature and humidity with positive pressure. Ample bench spaces in the facility allows for new equipment and personnel and office space.Learn more about the MCCF, here!
For any questions, visit the MCCF FAQ page. If you still have questions after reading through our FAQs, please contact us.
MCCF Personneland their significant qualifications
Dr. Mostafa Elshahed
Core Facility Director
Dr. Elshahed is a Regents Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at OSU. He holds a PhD from the University of Oklahoma and completed post-doctoral research there before joining OSU as an assistant professor in 2007. As a microbial ecologist, Dr. Elshahed specializes in anaerobic environments, particularly studying anaerobic gut fungi and microbial communities in sulfur springs, oil formations, and lake sediments. His research employs genomics, transcriptomics, and both culture-based and culture-independent methods. Dr. Elshahed has authored 115 peer-reviewed papers and actively collaborates with research groups worldwide. His work has been continuously funded by the NSF, DOE, NIH, and other entities since 2007.
Dr. Aymen S. Yassin
Core Facility Manager
Dr. Yassin holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He completed a postdoc at the Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health. Since 2011, Dr. Yassin has been at Cairo University’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, leading research on microbial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, environmental microbiomes, and anaerobic gut fungi. He served as Director of the Biotechnology Center from 2014 to 2021, demonstrating leadership in managing projects, resources, and collaborations. Since 2021, he has been Department Chair, overseeing academic programs and research while fostering growth and innovation. His expertise combines high-level research with strong managerial skills.
Dr. Sam Miller
Senior Scientist
Dr. Miller earned his Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma in 2024 under the supervision of Professor Paul A. Lawson, a world-renowned expert in anaerobic microbiology and microbiome research. Dr. Miller specializes in culturomics, especially the isolation and characterization of strict anaerobic organisms, and is an expert in microbial taxonomy and systematics. Currently, Dr. Miller is focused on studying gut-associated bacteria using cultivation-based and molecular approaches, concentrating on yet-to-be-cultivated taxa from humans and other non-human mammals.
Ty Young
Technical Specialist
Ty Young is a sophomore here at Oklahoma State University. He has been involved in the Elshahed lab since 2023. He started his research career culturing novel anaerobic gut fungi taxa and has since transitioned into culturing novel bacteria taxa.