DNA Technologies Unit
The DNA Technologies Unit is a core DNA sequencing and DNA/Gene/Peptide synthesis facility established by PBI in 1988. With the development of microarray technologies and bioinformatics as key tools for the rapid discovery of genes expression and gene function, high-throughput DNA sequencing is an essential technology. The Unit provides high-throughput sequencing capabilities in support of agricultural genomics programs, PBI core projects, collaborative projects. The Group has integrated in vitro enzymatic plasmid template preparation and high-throughput sequencing chemistry technologies with sequence resolution on a 96-capillary AB 3730xl DNA sequence analysis. Throughput capacity is 5760 sequencing runs per week with read lengths 800-1000 (Phred 20 score).
The Unit not only supports PBI and collaborative projects but also provides DNA sequencing and DNA/Gene synthesis technology to universities, industry, and government departments.
Services
Our DNA Technologies Unit offers a broad range of services:
- High throughput plasmid preparation and DNA sequencing of expressed sequence tags (ESTs), chromosome fragments, cloned genes and PCR products
- Gene synthesis, gene libraries and codon bias optimization
- Modified oligonucleotides (fluorescent, biotinylated, phosphorylated, modified bases)
- Peptide synthesis
Equipment
The laboratory houses:
- An AB 3730xl capillary electrophoresis DNA analyzer is focussed on genomic projects and collaborations where a 96 and 384-well format is used for high-throughput sequencing.
- Two additional AB DNA sequencers are routinely used to meet the custom sequencing needs of smaller scale sequencing projects.
- Four Beckman Oligo 1000 DNA synthesizers able to custom synthesize DNA molecules over 150 bases long. The unit provides custom gene synthesis, gene libraries and codon bias adjustments as well as modified DNA such as phosphorylated, biotinylated or fluorescent labeled oligonucleotides. Many other custom modifications are available on request.
- A Rainin Symphony/Multiplex, 12 reaction vessel peptide synthesizer.
- Two Dianex High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) systems enable custom purification of oligonucleotides, PCR products and and sytthetic peptides.
Rates
These services are available to external organizations on a cost-recovery basis. Rates are dependent on the type of service available. Bulk rates for high-throuput plasmid preparation and DNA sequencing, oligonucleotide and gene synthesis are available.
Contact:
Dr. Larry Pelcher (Group Leader) at Larry.Pelcher@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Phone: (306) 975-5967.
Barry Panchuk (DNA Sequencing) at Barry.Panchuk@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Phone: (306) 975-6073.
Inge Roewer (DNA Sequencing) at Inge.Roewer@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Phone: (306) 975-6590.
Darrin Klassen (DNA Sequencing) at Darrin.Klassen@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Phone: (306) 975-6145.
Don Schwab (Synthesis of Oligonucleotides, Genes and Peptides) at Don.Schwab@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Phone: (306) 975-4998.
