Gene Analysis Services Shared Resource

Eric D. Wieben, Ph.D.
Director

The Gene Analysis Services Shared Resource provides Mayo Clinic Cancer Center investigators with technical expertise, instrumentation and coordinated support for DNA sequencing, transcriptional profiling and access to RNAi reagents.

The services provided by the Shared Resource include gene transcript analysis using Affymetrix Genechips(TM), Illumina BeadChips, and custom spotted microarrays. In addition, quality assessment of total RNA and microRNA is performed on the Agilent Bioanalyzer platform. Instruments for verification of expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are also available in the facility.

Gene Analysis Services aims to provide high-quality, rapid service in state-of-the-art genomic technologies to Cancer Center researchers and to do so at an affordable price. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Maintaining expertise in the use of well-defined commercial platforms for genomic analysis and translating this knowledge into high quality data for Cancer Center members
• Seek out, validate internally, and implement new technologies which would advance the capabilities of the GAS to provide cutting edge genomic assays to MCCC researchers
• Increase the utility of archived and fresh biological or patient-derived samples by validating new techniques which allow for the use of very small amounts of ribonucleic acid from fresh-frozen paraffin embedded (FFPE) and laser-captured micro-dissected tissues
• Seek input from users of the GAS regarding new technologies and modalities for continuous improvement

The following components make up Gene Analysis Services:

• DNA sequencing
• Gene Expression Profiling
• RNA Interference Technology Resource (RITR)

The individual components of Gene Analysis Services have evolved along with the technologies they offer. The consolidation of the services of these activities into Gene Analysis Services began in late 2007, driven by a convergence in technologies as emphasized by the advent of Next Generation sequencing as a tool for transcriptome analysis. While each component retains specialized scientific expertise, there is coordination of planning, services and oversight, including some sharing of personnel between the sequencing and expression profiling activities.