MCW Mellowes Institute Facilities & Equipment

The NovaSeq 6000 is a state-of-the-art, high output sequencer that can generate ~20 billion paired end sequencing reads in less than 48 hours. Maximum flow cell capacities are 24 WGS samples at 30x depth, 500 WES samples at 100x depth, or 400 whole transcriptome samples at 50M reads per sample.

RRID:SCR_020150

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On a smaller scale, the Illumina MiSeq generates up to 20 million reads, making it perfect for smaller capture panels, microbe sequencing, or testing sample quality.

RRID:SCR_020134

Learn more about the Illumina MiSeq

The NanoString nCounter system delivers highly reproducible expression data on 800+ targets with zero enzymatic steps using a simple automated workflow. The technology uses unique optical barcodes that hybridize to each target oligonucleotide to enable digital counting of individual mRNA or miRNA transcripts. This technique can accommodate low input and highly degraded sample RNA. Off-the-shelf gene expression panels are available that cover a wide variety of species and biological pathways.

Oxford Nanopore long read sequencing is the only sequencing technology that enables direct, real-time analysis of short to ultra-long fragments of DNA or RNA. Long read sequencing can span the entire length of repetitive regions, resolve structural variants, and differentiate between different isoforms.

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PacBio long read sequencing utilizes the SMRT seq methodology and allows for comprehensive sequencing of genomes and transcriptomes. Using an immobilized DNA polymerase complexed with the template DNA, long read sequencing can resolve structural rearrangements and determine the length of repetitive regions though read lengths over 10,000bp.

Learn more about PacBio Sequel Systems

The 10x Genomics Visium CytAssist is a compact instrument designed to simplify the Visium workflow by facilitating the transfer of transcriptomic probes from standard glass slides to Visium slides. Spatial profiling insights can be gained from an expanded range of FFPE samples. Pre-screen the tissue sections and then use the instrument for precise manual alignment of tissue section to Visium Capture Areas making the most of your spatial discovery studies.

RRID:SCR_024570

The 10x Genomics Chromium iX is a microfluidic instrument designed for partitioning and barcoding single cells or nuclei to enable a range of high-resolution assays. These include gene expression, immune profiling, ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin), and multi-modal gene expression + ATAC assays. It supports 10x Genomics' Next GEM, GEM-X, and Flex technologies, allowing researchers to resolve molecular insights in heterogeneous samples and perform integrated analyses of complex biological systems.

RRID:SCR_024536

The Perkin Elmer SciCLone is utilized for complex library preps and other sophisticated laboratory procedures. With a fully customizable deck layout, the SciClone provides the throughput and reproducibility needed for comprehensive research studies.

RRID:SCR_020394

The Perkin Elmer Zephyr is a lower-throughput liquid handling robot suited for lab activities such as AMPure washes and qRT-PCR plate setup.

RRID:SCR_018616

The Diagenode IPStar is a liquid handling robot that automates several steps of the Diagenode ChIP-Seq procedures, from cross-linking and cell lysis, through immunoprecipitation and library prep.

The Miltenyi gentleMACS Octo Tissue Dissociator is a benchtop instrument, equipped with eight individual heating units, for fully automated and standardized tissue dissociation and homogenization of up to eight samples.

RRID:SCR_020271

Learn more about the Miltenyi gentleMACS Octo Dissociator

The Qiagen TissueLyser II provides medium- to high- throughput disruption of tissues and other specimens for use with follow-up procedures such as DNA/RNA isolation. Different sizes of steel beads are available based on sample type and tissue size.

RRID:SCR_018623

Learn more about the Qiagen TissueLyser II

Diagenode Bioruptor Plus/Nano Systems are able to complete DNA or chromatin shearing protocols for ChIP-seq with volumes from 50uL to 2mL. Utilizing different tube sizes, wavelength intensities, and exposure times nucleic acid samples can be reliably and consistently fragmented.

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With the Promega Maxwell RSC low throughput nucleic acid extractions (RNA and DNA) are completed from many different specimen types. Individual kitted reagents, minimal setup time, and relatively short run time allow for the extraction of DNA and RNA in less than two hours.

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For high-throughput robotic extractions, the Perkin Elmer Chemagic 360 can isolate DNA and RNA from up to 96 samples at a time. Using magnetic bead technology, nucleic acid is efficiently extracted from blood, buccal swab, saliva, plasma, tissue, and many other specimen types. Interchangeable, quickly-connected rod heads allow for a range of specimen volumes, up to 5mL.

RRID:SCR_020394

Learn more about the Perkin Elmer Chemagic 360

The Sage Science BluePippin allows for the separation of DNA fragments through pulsed-field electrophoresis and size selection of high molecular weight DNA up to 50kb. The platform features the ability to collect narrow and even fragment distributions, as well as wide ranges of fragments with minimal effort. For long-range genomic applications, high-pass filtering allows users to collect all fragments above a size threshold set by the user. The target sizes or ranges of sizes are entered in software and fractions are collected in buffer with up to five (5) samples run per gel cassette.

RRID:SCR_020505

Learn more about the Sage Science BluePippin System

The BioRad CFX Opus 384 is the primary qRT-PCR system in the Mellowes Institute. It is used for Illumina library quantitation, determining ChIP-seq IP enrichment, and optimization of adequate amplification steps for NGS, single cell, and spatial biology library preps.

Learn more about the BioRad Opus 384 (PDF)

The Logos Biosystems LUNA-FL Cell Counter is equipped with brightfield and dual fluorescence optics that allow the sensitive detection of most cell types excluding bacteria. It can distinguish primary cells such as PBMCs, splenocytes, neutrophils, and stem cells from debris for accurate cell count and viability results.

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The EVOS imaging system incorporates high-resolution cameras, bright and digitally controlled LED light sources, and intuitive software to help capture stunning, publication-quality images in just a few clicks.

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The BioTek Synergy LX multimode reader automates many common microplate assays. The high-quality optic design ensures excellent data in absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence detection modes. The system is ideal for many common assays including nucleic acid and protein quantification, ELISA, BCA, Bradford, and cell viability.

RRID:SCR_019763

Learn more about the BioTek Synergy LX Multimode Reader

The Agilent Fragment Analyzer is the primary DNA, RNA, and sequencing library quality control instrument in the MC. It can assess fragment sizes, RNA/DNA quality, nucleic acid concentration, and the presence of PCR artifacts.

RRID:SCR_019417

Learn more about the Agilent Fragment Analyzer

The Thermo Fisher Qubit is an accurate and sensitive nucleic acid and protein quantitation instrument designed to work seamlessly with highly selective Qubit DNA, RNA, and protein assays.