Basic science laboratories are located in the newly renovated Richard M. Ryan Hall, which provides state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment. The research laboratories at DMU comprise about 10,000 square feet of space, including a core laboratory for immunocytometry and fluorescence imaging. Other laboratories include infectious disease, immunology, microbiology, virology, immune cell biochemistry, mycology, bacteriology, cell biology, cardiovascular function, molecular and cellular pharmacology, neuropharmacology and cancer. Laboratory capabilities include flow cytometry, image analysis, fluorescence microscopy, video densitometry, cell culture and anaerobic bacteriology, high-performance liquid and gas chromatography, molecular biology facilities and other various contemporary technologies.

The human performance laboratory (motion analysis) and applied physiology laboratory are located in the Physical Therapy area of the Des Moines University Clinic.