DNA Sequencing & Analysis Core

Main Research Focus:
DNA sequencing is a primary tool used by most molecular biological cancer researchers in their studies of molecular biological and molecular medical studies and is used to determine novel sequences, sites of potentially mutated DNA sequences, or to confirm the DNA sequences being used in a researcher’s work. The mission of the University of Colorado Cancer Center DNA Sequencing & Analysis Core is to provide reliable DNA sequencing data rapidly to Cancer Center members. This is done by the Core using state-of-the-art capillary DNA sequencing instruments (two ABI 3730) with turn-around times of one business day.

Currently, the Core provides these additional services:

• DNA profiling for authenticating human cell line identity, which includes access to our large database of in-house determined profiles of common human cell lines;
• Identification of mutation in genes involved in human cancer development, such as the genes TP53, PTEN, VHL, FLT3,kras, EGFR;
• Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) analysis for determining gene copy number of several genes; and
• Knowledgeable consulting and trouble-shooting skills on DNA sequencing, mutation detection, PCR DNA amplification, and gene cloning projects.

Our website (http://loki.uchsc.edu) is a resource of additional technical information and is where our customers submit their DNA sequencing requests, and from where they may rapidly retrieve their sequencing results. Our services are available to Cancer Center members (at discounted rates), non-Cancer Center members, hospitals, and industrial biotech researchers. Currently, our Core serves 164 research groups in Colorado and five groups out-of-state (California, New York, Indiana, South Carolina).

By January 2008, the Core will, together with Dr. David Pollock the UCD Center for Comparative Genomics (CCG), purchase a Roche – 454 Life Sciences Genome Sequencer FLX system for ultra-high throughput analysis of genome scale information (e.g., gene sequence and structure, genome-wide gene expression and mutational analysis of tumor samples). It will be operated in the UCCC DNA Sequencing & Analysis Core and operated in collaboration with the CCG and individual researchers.

Lab Personnel

Christopher Korch, PhD - Director and Manager
Efang Li, MSc, - Senior PRA
Donna Chevalier, MSC, PRA