Research Lab

    Bray Research Lab at the Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Building at UW–Madison, photographed Friday, October 2, 2020. picture by Michael P. King
    Flanked by the graduate/PhD student office and the offices of the faculty, the Bray Research Lab is a place for collaborative research on muscle biology, animal biologics, and food safety.

    The Bray Research Lab, or Research Suite, is the center of muscle biology, animal biologics, and other research at MSABD. The lab features a wide array of instrumentation including a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, and devices for measuring the moisture, fat, and protein content of meat. Off the lab are separate rooms for glassware washing, a cold lab, and several -80°C freezers. The lab offers capabilities in tissue culture and DNA and RNA sequencing.

     

    A separate nearby “Light Display” room is used by scientists to study the effect different wavelengths of light have on the appearance of meat. This allows meat cases in a supermarket, for example, to be designed to showcase the high quality of meats and drive sales.

    Dillon Walker, Plant Operations Manager, adjusts the lights in the Sensory Lab. picture by Michael P. King
    A spectrum of color temperatures is possible in the light display room using a variety of light sources.