Molecular & Cell Biology

The Molecular and Cellular Biology Core provides services, reagents and training for all aspects of molecular biology and cell culture.  Services include DNA sequencing, real-time PCR, genotyping, robotic RNA and DNA purification, monkey-specific cDNAs, and customized media and buffers for cell culture. The core also produces lentiviral vectors for cDNA and shRNA delivery.  Core personnel assist researchers in maintaining and storing cell lines. The core makes available state-of-the-art equipment, including a 969capillary DNA sequencer, realtime qRT-PCR platforms, and fluorometers for cell-based kinetic analyses..

SERVICES PROVIDED 

Molecular Biology

(contact Yibing Jia)

• Automated DNA sequencing

• • DNA sequencing is performed on a 96-capillary ABI3700XL. Combined with a robotic pipetting station, this allows the core to offer extremely high quality, low cost sequencing.
  • Standard pricing:
  • • Sequencing (< 96 rxns) $4.50
      
    • Sequencing (97-999 rxns) $4.00
    • Sequencing (> 999 rxns) $3.00
    • Sequencing, with better buffer (< 96 rxns) $6.0
    • Sequencing, with better buffer (97-999 rxns) $5.50
    • Sequencing, with better buffer (>999 rxns) $4.00
      
  • Special pricing available for high volume or user reaction setup.
  • We gladly assist in helping with DNA preparation protocols and data analysis
  • We specialize in working with scientists to optimize protocols for hard to sequence regions.
  • Quality and satisfaction guaranteed and DNA will be re-sequenced at no cost if quality is not acceptable

• Realtime PCR analysis and SNP analysis (ABI7900HT and ABI7500fast)

• • ABI7900HT allows choice of 96- and 384-well plates Taqman Array Cards.
  • The ABI7900HT allows low cost genotyping when number of SNPs to be analyzed is not cost effective for the Illumina platform.
  • New - Low Density Taqman Arrays on the ABI 7900 HT.
  • New - SNP and Polymorphism analysis on large sample sets with full statistical analysis and quality analysis of SNPS and mutations..
  • Custom cDNA cloning
  • The core provides custom monkey cDNAs as needed for expression constructs and in situ hybridization.
  • DNA preparation
  • Core personnel will provide large scale DNA plasmid preps.
  • Technical support and training.
    

• Robotics for automated DNA and RNA preps

• • Fully automated procedure for minipreps, small scale RNA preps, mouse tail DNA preps and small scale genomic DNA preps.
    

Cell Biology

(contact CoreyAyne Singleton)

• Lentiviral vector preparation for cDNA and shRNA transduction and infection

• • Transduction of cell lines and cell sorting based on fluorescent protein expression

• Robotics for automated DNA and RNA preps

• • Fully automated procedure for minipreps, small scale RNA preps, mouse tail DNA preps and small scale genomic DNA preps.

• Semi-automated large-scale genomic DNA preparations.

• Freezing, thawing, and amplification of cell lines.

• Preparation of both routine and exotic cell culture medium.

• Provision of supplies, cell culture ware (plain and coated) and reagents.

• Assistance with special projects.

• Instrumentation:

• • Calcium kinetics, fluorescent assays, and luminescent assays using multifunction microtiter-based systems
  • Molecular Devices FlexStation
  • Molecular Devices M5 multifunction plate reader
  • Phosphorimager
  • Gel Doc System
  • Nanodrop spectrophotometer
  • Bioanalyzer for RNA and DNA quality

• Technical support and training.