Gene Analysis Shared Resource

The Gene Analysis Shared Resource includes four Mayo Clinic cores that provide Mayo Clinic Cancer Center investigators with services related to DNA and RNA sequencing, gene expression profiling, genotyping, and RNA interference.

While each core has specialized scientific expertise, bringing these four cores together as a unified, coordinated shared resource gives Mayo Clinic Cancer Center researchers a single starting point for studies involving genomics and gene analysis.

Eric D. Wieben, Ph.D., of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., directs the Gene Analysis Shared Resource.

Gene Expression Core

The Gene Expression Core, directed by Jin Jen, M.D., Ph.D., supports researchers in the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center by providing comprehensive services and technical support for the measurement of gene expression.

To meet the needs of cancer researchers and facilitate clinical studies, the core uses multiple state-of-the-art platforms, including technologies for:

• Whole-transcriptome library preparation for next-generation sequencing
• Whole-transcriptome microarray analysis
• High-throughput quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Genotyping Core

Directed by Julie M. Cunningham, Ph.D., the Genotyping Core supports Mayo Clinic Cancer Center investigators by providing high-quality genotyping and methylation analysis services in a collaborative environment.

The core has contributed to Cancer Center researchers' success in obtaining external funding and further understanding the genomic basis of cancer for nearly a decade.

The Genotyping Core offers:

• Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays from Illumina
• Custom SNP genotyping
• Methylation analyses
• Repeat length polymorphism assays

Molecular Biology Core

The Molecular Biology Core, directed by Dr. Wieben, provides a full range of DNA and RNA sequencing services to Mayo Clinic Cancer Center investigators.

DNA and RNA sequencing gives clinicians and researchers detailed information about differences and changes in a person's genetic makeup, helping them better understand the role that genetics plays in diseases and treatments.

This core offers Sanger sequencing, short- and long-read next-generation sequencing, and many services and applications for next-generation sequencing, including:

• Library preparation
• Whole-exome capture and custom capture
• Whole-genome sequencing
• Whole-transcriptome sequencing
• MicroRNA sequencing

RNA Interference Core

The RNA Interference Core offers services related to RNA interference (RNAi), a cellular mechanism that involves the silencing of gene expression.

Using RNA interference strategies, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center researchers can investigate the effects of knocking down particular genes that play roles in cancer, which may ultimately lead to new cancer treatment options.

Directed by E. Aubrey Thompson, Ph.D., the RNA Interference Core provides investigators with:

• Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown reagents, including the Mission library from Sigma-Aldrich and the GIPZ library from Thermo Scientific
• Inducible shRNA knockdown reagents from Sigma-Aldrich, which allow for more precise control in regulating gene expression