Research


Blood and Tissue DNA Isolation and Archiving Core

This service is provided by the Michigan Medical Genetics Laboratories (MMGL). It enables researchers to have blood and tissue samples processed from patients enrolled in research studies. Services include DNA isolation from blood, tissue samples, or cell cultures, DNA and tissue archiving and storage, and CLIA certified genetic testing. For more information, please visit the MMGL website: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/michigan.medical.genetics.laboratories/home

DNA Sequencing Core

The DNA Sequencing Core provides University of Michigan investigators access to high-quality automated DNA Sequencing, genotyping, and gene expression technology at a reasonable cost on a recharge basis. For more information, please visit the DNA Sequencing Core Web site (http://seqcore.brcf.med.umich.edu).

Standard Sanger-based automated DNA Sequencing: These projects use ABI Model 3730 sequencers. Turnaround time is very short; results are usually returned within 48 hours of sample submission. Samples yield 700-900 nucleotides of high-quality DNA sequence data.

High-throughput DNA Sequencing: The Core operates two high-throughput 'Next-Generation' DNA sequencers, including an Illumina (formerly Solexa) Genome Analyzer II and a Roche 454-FLX Genome Sequencer. The Illumina GA II is ideally suited for re-sequencing DNA that can be compared to a reference genome, providing 1 to 3 Gb of sequence per run, in the form of 40-50 nt reads. The Roche 454-FLX is best for sequencing samples that may contain unknown genomes such as soil samples or microbial pathogens. It gives read lengths of 250-400 nt, yielding 100-500 Mb of total sequence per run.

Genotyping: Genotyping is performed on a variety of platforms, depending on the design of the project. Applied Biosystems Model 3730XL Genetic Analyzers are used for microsatellite analyses, including Human Identification (ABI ProfilerPlus). Large-scale SNP typing projects are accommodated with an Illumina Beadstation 500GX. That instrument can also be used to assess genomic copy number variation and for gene expression profiling. Smaller SNP typing projects can make use of the ABI Model 7900HT Sequence Detection system (i.e. 'Taqman' technology), suited for assessing one or a few SNPs in samples number up to a few thousand. Finally, a Sequenom MassArray instrument will be in place in the near future, which is idea for projects too large for the Taqman machine, yet too small for the Illumina BeadStation.

Gene expression profiling: The Illumina Beadstation is suitable for gene expression profiling.

Transgenic Animal Model Core

The Transgenic Core produces transgenic mice and rats, and mice with targeted mutations for University of Michigan investigators. These animals can be used to study gene function, gene expression, gene regulation, to develop animal models of human disease, to test gene therapy reagents, to establish cell lines from specific cell types transformed in vivo, to produce mice with tissue-specific inducible gene expression or tissue-specific gene deletions, or to study the effects of cell specific ablation with toxigenes. The facility also provides consultation and training in all phases of transgenic and gene-targeting research from experimental design to mouse breeding. Additional services related to mouse assisted reproductive technologies are also available. For more information, please visit the Transgenic Animal Model Core Web site.

Center for Chemical Genomics

The Center for Chemical Genomics is a collaboratory for high-throughput screening and drug discovery. The facility provides assistance in assay development for implementation into high throughput screening to determine the biological function of genes and gene products. Resources include a small molecule compound collection, liquid handling robotics, detection equipment, relational database and chemistry software for follow-up development. For more information, please visit the Center for Chemical Genomics Web site.

Microscopic Imaging Lab (MIL)

The MIL is a centralized facility of more than 3,000 square feet housing major equipment, used on a shared basis by investigators focusing mainly on studies of cell and tissue morphology and ultrastructure. It is a fee-for-service-based operation open to researchers from all departments within the University, other institutions, and also the industrial research community. The facility includes state-of-the-art equipment for microscopic imaging, including fluorescence microscopy, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. For more information, please visit the MIL Web site.

The Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR)

The Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) is a trans-institutional academic research and service unit. MICHR was approved by the University of Michigan Regents in November 2006 and it reports to Robert Kelch, M.D., U-M, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs. This virtual institute provides infrastructure to connect scientists across the University in order to accelerate and strengthen all research at the university related to human health, focusing on translational and clinical research. MICHR is the home of our institution’s NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Sciences Award (CTSA), awarded September 2007. The institute provides an academic home for the full spectrum of activities needed to support such clinical and translational research, including informatics, statistics, ethical oversight, regulatory support, community engagement resources, education programs, health disparities and pediatric-focused research and more. MICHR is built from the strong foundation of services and activities formerly supported by the Center for the Advancement of Clinical Research (CACR), which has become the foundation of the new MICHR.  All of CACR’s previous services in research development, clinical research informatics, clinical research education, data management, and project management and monitoring will be continued under the MICHR organization.  The administrative home of MICHR is located in the Lobby M of the Domino’s Farms Office Complex.  The MICHR Director is Dr. Daniel Clauw, and the Managing Director is Ms. Dorene Markel.  Additional information about MICHR can be found on the MICHR website at www.michr.umich.edu or by calling the MICHR Administrative Office at 734-998-7474.

Information on additional U-M core laboratory facilities is available at the M-CORES Web site.