Core Facilities

DNA Resource

DNA Resource Core

The DNA Resource Core was started in the spring of 1999 to meet a growing need for DNA sequencing services at a cost that is affordable for academic labs. Our services now include DNA sequencing for large- and small-scale projects and a plasmid repository & distribution service. Our highest priorities are quality assurance, user support and timely request fulfilment.

DNA SEQUENCING FACILITY

About the Core DNA Sequencing Service

Key features of DNA sequencing services:

On-line ordering and data retrieval at DNA LIMS
Daily sample pick-up Monday through Friday from five drop-off locations in three areas in Boston/Cambridge
Typically, 24-hour turn-around from sample pick-up to data availability

Sequencing Equipment and Facility

DNA sequencing is supported by two ABI 3730xl machines and data can be retrieved via secure on-line login at DNA LIMS. The core facility is located at the Harvard Institute of Proteomics, a group with extensive experience in automation, informatics, plasmid clone production, sequencing and analysis, and more.

PLASMID REPOSITORY

About the Plasmid Repository

Key features of plasmid storage & distribution services:

On-line information and ordering at PlasmID
Scientifically curated information and careful quality analysis of samples
Storage as glycerol stocks in a fully-automated freezer storage system
Over 83,000 full length open reading frome (ORF) cDNAs and short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) available
Also the site of the Protein Structure Initiative (PSI) Material Repository.

Repository Facilities

The plasmid repository is supported by the in-house developed Oracle database PlasmID and state-of-the-art automated equipment for single colony isolation, liquid handling and low temperature storage.

Please see the Services and Pricing pages for more information.

Who uses the DNA Resource Core?

The DNA sequencing core facility sequences samples from DF/HCC researchers as well as researchers from other universities throughout the United States and as far away as Costa Rica!

Thus far, the plasmid repository has distributed constructs to approximately 500 research groups at over 120 universities and institutes in the United States and 100 universities abroad. This includes almost 150 researchers in the Boston area alone!