The Carver College of Medicine DNA Facility has recently added 2 new instruments to support investigators in translational and personalized medicine studies.  An Applied Biosystems SOLiD v3.1 Genome Sequencing System and a Fluidigm EP1 System for genetic analysis have both been recently installed and are available for use.

The Applied Biosystems SOLiD v3.1 Genome Sequencing System is a high throughput “short-read” genome sequencer capable of giving greater than 200 million 35 to 50 base sequence reads yielding 10 billion bases per sequencing slide.  The SOLiD sequencer is ideally suited for studies involving resequencing, targeted resequencing, ChipSeq, microRNA discovery and quantification, RNAseq (gene expression), and methylation patterning. 

The new “short-read” system complements a Roche 454 “long-read” system acquired by the facility in 2008.  The Roche system is capable of sequencing longer DNA fragments of 200 to 500 bases.

The new Fluidigm EP1 system utilizes microfluidic technologies, enabling investigators to perform high throughput genotyping and copy number variation studies.  The dynamic arrays used by the system contain tens of thousands of microfluidic control valves that permit assembly and analysis of thousands of genotyping assays in four hours.   Also, because each assay is only five nanoliters, the new system represents a considerable saving in genotyping costs.

The “short-read” genome sequencing system was acquired with funding from the Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science.  The genetic analysis system was made possible through contributions by the Carver College of Medicine and several of its investigators.

Both systems have recently been installed and the facility is currently accepting samples for analysis.  Investigators wishing to utilize either instrument should contact the Carver College of Medicine DNA Facility at 335-7923 or by email at kevin-knudtson@uiowa.edu.