Genetics and genomics core facility

Whole genome sequencing technology is to comprehensively and accurately analyze entire human (or other organisms) genomes. Genomic DNA is first randomly fragmented using sonication or nebulization, and then are ligated to a platform-specific set of double-stranded adapters to generate a shotgun library. Subsequently, these library fragments are amplified in situ by hybridization and extension from complementary adapters. NGS is preformed using the NovaSeq 6000 platform, a microfluidic device to contain the amplified fragments of the shotgun library, followed by an imaging step that collects data from fragments being actively sequenced. WGS is followed by mapping to the known reference genome ("re-sequencing") or de-novo. This approach is useful for identifying causative variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variations, insertions/deletions) and novel genome assembly. In term of accuracy, we prefer the PCR-free methods, which eliminates the sequencing error rate.

Whole exome sequencing technology is to analyze entire human (or other organisms) exomes comprehensively and accurately. Genomic DNA is first randomly fragmented using sonication or nebulization, and then are ligated to a platform-specific set of double-stranded adapters to generate a shotgun library. Subsequently, these library fragments are amplified in situ by hybridization and extension from complementary adapters. NGS is preformed using the NovaSeq 6000 platform, a microfluidic device to contain the amplified fragments of the shotgun library, followed by an imaging step that collects data from fragments being actively sequenced. WES is more economical and higher throughput approach to WGS enabling deeper sequencing and detection of mosaics or somatic mutations.

RNA sequencing, also known as transcriptome analysis, is a powerful tool for investigating gene expression patterns and understanding cellular processes. Our RNA sequencing services allow you to explore the transcriptomes of different samples, identify novel transcripts, study alternative splicing events, gene fusions and analyze non-coding RNAs. By leveraging cutting-edge sequencing technologies and robust bioinformatics pipelines, we offer comprehensive and insightful RNA sequencing solutions to advance your research.

Unraveling genetic variations and polymorphisms is essential for a wide range of studies, including population genetics, genetic association studies, and personalized medicine research. Our genotyping services use state-of-the-art genotyping platforms to analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions/deletions (INDELs), and other genetic variants. We collaborate with researchers to design genotyping panels (next genome sequencing, PCR or hybridization based) tailored to their specific research questions, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of genetic diversity and disease associations in their study populations.

Our Animal Genotyping Service is designed to help researchers investigate genetic variations and traits in various animal species. Whether you are studying mice, rats, zebrafish, or other genetically modified organisms, our genotyping experts are well-versed in the techniques required for accurate and efficient analysis of your animal samples. We work closely with researchers to design custom genotyping panels specific to their research objectives. These panels can be optimized to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions/deletions (INDELs), and other genetic markers relevant to your study. With our advanced genotyping platforms, we can process a large number of samples efficiently and with consistent quality. Whether you need to genotype a few animals or conduct high-throughput genotyping for a whole colony, we have the capacity to meet your requirements.

Accurate cell line authentication is crucial to ensure the integrity and reliability of your research results. Our cell line authentication service utilizes advanced DNA profiling techniques, such as Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis, to verify the identity of your cell lines. By comparing the DNA profiles of your cell lines with established reference databases, we can confirm their authenticity and detect any potential cross-contamination or misidentification issues. Our team of experts follows rigorous quality control measures during the authentication process, and we provide detailed reports with the results of the analysis. Ensuring the authenticity of your cell lines is essential for maintaining the reproducibility and validity of your research findings, and our authentication service offers the confidence you need in your experimental work.

Mycoplasma contamination is a common issue that can compromise the reliability and reproducibility of cell-based experiments. Detecting and eradicating mycoplasma contamination is essential to maintain the accuracy of your research data and protect the integrity of your cell lines. Our mycoplasma contamination detection service employs sensitive and reliable methods to identify the presence of mycoplasma in your cell cultures. Using PCR-based techniques and DNA staining, we can rapidly detect mycoplasma contamination, enabling you to take prompt action to eliminate the contamination and prevent its spread to other cultures in your lab.

In the era of big data in genomics, bioinformatics plays a pivotal role in extracting meaningful insights from vast amounts of sequencing data. Our dedicated team of bioinformatics experts works closely with researchers to analyze, interpret, and visualize genomic data. Whether you require assistance with raw data processing, variant calling, differential gene expression analysis, or pathway enrichment, we are here to support you in making the most of your genomics experiments.

We believe that collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential for advancing genomics research. Our facility offers consultation sessions with our experts, where we discuss project design, experimental strategies, and data analysis approaches tailored to your specific research goals. Additionally, we organize training programs and workshops to equip researchers with the necessary skills and expertise to independently conduct genomics experiments and data analysis.