DNA Analysis and Sequencing Facility

    Facility Manager (for all correspondence):
    Ms. Nataliya Gladoun
    Audubon III, Room 301
    1130 St. Nicholas Ave.
    New York, N.Y. 10032
    tel: (212) 851-4505
    fax: (212) 851-4509
    e-mail: ng294@columbia.edu

    Location of Facility:
    Audubon III, Room 301 & 302
    1130 St. Nicholas Ave.
    New York, N.Y. 10032

Description:

The Facility performs expert DNA sequencing and provides and maintains 3 Molecular Dynamics Imaging instruments for use by investigators: a PhosphorImager, a FluorImager, and a computing Densitometer.

Two instruments for Real Time PCR are available: Roche's LightCycler and ABI's Prism 7700 for quantitation of specific DNA and RNA sequences. Secure 24-hour access to these instruments and to the Molecular Dynamics Imaging instruments is provided. Researchers can reserve time on the LightCycler and the ABI 7700 via a web-based Calendar. Contact Facility Manager for appropriate login information.

DNA sequencing: All sequencing is performed with ABI's 3100 capillary sequencers that yield high accuracy and long read lengths (typically 600-700 base pairs). The Facility sequences single-stranded DNA, double-stranded plasmid DNA, purified PCR products, and the ends of BACs. Facility-recommended protocols for template preparation and requirements are available via the web at: Instructions. Sequence data are normally returned two to three days after submission of DNA templates. Emphasis is on quick return of high-quality sequence data at low cost. Sequences are provided via a dedicated web server on which each user has a secure page from which to retrieve sequence data. Researchers must enter their sequencing requests via the web-based DNA Sequencing Request Form. A hard-copy print out of this Request Form must be delivered to the Facility along with the samples to be sequenced.

Imaging Instrumentation: There is one PhosphorImager, one FluorImager, and one Densitometer available. All three instruments come with ImageQuant analysis software, for which a site license has been purchased. This program can thus be installed on any local Macintosh computer. Files can be transported via the Ethernet or on Zip disks. The Facility has a limited number of phosphor-screens available at no cost. After-hours access to all instruments is available via a digital lock, to which code numbers are provided.

Links for the web-based DNA Sequencing Request Form, Instruction, and Calendar are available through the DNA Analysis and Sequencing Facility web site at: http://cancercenter.columbia.edu/dna/

Permited Users: Columbia University personnel only.

Charges:

  • DNA sequencing:

- Cancer Center Members: $7 per template
- Non-Cancer Center Members: $9 per template

All Instrumentation (Imaging and PCR): $300/year flat fee.