Services

The UMMC Molecular and Genomics Core offers a wide variety of services and resources to faculty and staff, both internal and external of the institution. All experiments begin with a one-on-one consultation in order to determine the prospective outcome of the investigator for each research project. From there, a project number is assigned and our staff processes all samples with several quality-control checks to ensure high-quality data for researchers. An analysis pipeline will then be implemented once samples have been process to our quality standards, if requested. Long-term storage of samples and/or data are also available.

Available services include, but are not limited to:

Nucleic acid isolation and quality control

RNA or DNA tissues can be isolated from various tissues, dependent upon down-stream pipeline using our automated KingFisher Flex platform. Samples are checked for quality, using our bioanalyzer QIAxcel platform, and checked for quantity, using our NanoDrop One or Qubit fluorescent-based systems. Samples must pass all QC measures in order to continue with any experimental processes.

Genotyping (Taqman or PCR-based)

Genotyping is completed by using our PCR-based or Taqman fluorescent-based methods. Our PCR-based methods utilize primers designed to the area of interest (microsatellite or SNP markers) and are analyzed using the QIAxcel platform. Taqman genotyping is designed using probe-based targets and are processed and analyzed on the Bio-Rad CFX-96 platform. All runs will include controls to verify quality in each run.

Quantitative real time-PCR

Quantitative real time-PCR is used to determine the gene expression levels between control and experimental groups. Multiple gene targets and house-keeping genes are run simultaneously per sample using the BioRad CFX96 and CFX384 platforms. The built-in analysis program allows preliminary analysis, using visual fold-change graphs and Cq values. Three samples per group are required for statistics and experimental replication. High-quality RNA is required for this workflow.

Capillary sequencing

Capillary sequencing utilizes Sanger and dye-terminating cycle sequencing protocol to sequence up to 96 samples. Purified DNA templates are sequenced in either the forward or reverse direction. Base pair reads are aligned to a reference genome for analysis. 

Next-generation sequencing

High-throughput sequencing is performed on either the MiSeq or NextSeq platform using a wide variety of pipelines (see Resources). These instruments allow for extensive genome-wide analysis from a different nucleic acid types. RNA, DNA, Methylation and 16S metagenomic sequencing workflows are the most common uses for the next-generation technology. High-quality nucleic acids are required for all workflows.