Next Generation Sequencing

The Molecular Evolution core is home to the Illumina MiniSeq, MiSeq, NextSeq, and HiSeq 2500 and caters to a wide range of sequencing projects including, but not limited to, whole-genome sequencing for small and large genomes, targeted sequencing, plasmid sequencing, RNASeq, and exome sequencing. The core staff is happy to offer their expertise and be involved right from the project design phase, to help you find the best platform and strategy to suit your needs. Services offered include initial sample QC, NGS library preparation, library QC and sequencing. 

Click here for more information on the various sequencing options available at the core.

Sanger Sequencing

Confirm the sequence of your DNA insert using the SeqStudio™ Genetic Analyzer System at the Molecular Evolution Core. We have the option of core staff processing your samples for you or giving you the chance to take complete ownership of your project by training you to run your samples yourself because this plug-and-play instrument delivers gold-standard Sanger sequencing technology and fragment analysis with just a simple click.

Click here to place an order for this service.

Whole Plasmid Sequencing

 Confirm the sequence of your construct at the Molecular Evolution core. For just $75, core staff will sequence your plasmid and perform bioinformatics analysis on the data to provide you with fastq files and an assembled construct.

Click here to place an order for this service.

Automated Gel Extraction Using the Blue Pippin

The Blue Pippin features the ability to collect narrow and even fragment distributions as well as the flexibility to collect wide ranges of fragments. It also has the benefit of using pulsed-field electrophoresis for resolving and collecting high molecular weight DNA. The versatility of size ranges that can be collected by the instrument make it ideal for NGS library preparation pipelines related to short libraries like the Illumina and Ion Torrent platforms as well as large libraries like those used in the PacBio and Oxford Nanopore platforms. Target sizes or ranges of sizes are entered in the software, fractions of interest are collected in an elution buffer, which is then provided to the customer. Up to 5 samples per gel cassette may be run, with no possibility of cross-contamination. For long-range genomic applications, high-pass filtering allows users to collect all fragments above a size threshold set by the user. At $25 a lane, the different cassettes and size ranges available are:

3% agarose, 100-250bp

2% agarose, 100-600bp

1.5% agarose, 250bp – 1.5kb

0.75% agarose, 1-50kb

Click here to place an order for this service.

The Blue Pippin features the ability to collect narrow and even fragment distributions as well as the flexibility to collect wide ranges of fragments. It also has the benefit of using pulsed-field electrophoresis for resolving and collecting high molecular weight DNA. The versatility of size ranges that can be collected by the instrument makes it ideal for NGS library preparation pipelines related to short libraries like the Illumina and Ion Torrent platforms as well as large libraries like those used in the PacBio and Oxford Nanopore platforms. Target sizes or ranges of sizes are entered in the software, fractions of interest are collected in an elution buffer, which is then provided to the customer. Up to 5 samples per gel cassette may be run, with no possibility of cross-contamination. For long-range genomic applications, high-pass filtering allows users to collect all fragments above a size threshold set by the user. At $25 a lane, the different cassettes and size ranges available are:

3% agarose, 100-250bp

2% agarose, 100-600bp

1.5% agarose, 250bp – 1.5kb

0.75% agarose, 1-50kb

Click here to place an order for this service.

Phage display is a molecular evolution technique that allows for the exploration of library diversity to the limits of theoretical confines. The technology relies on the display of proteins of interest (peptides, antibodies, scaffolds, etc.) on the surface of a phage. It is one of the most powerful and widely used laboratory techniques that allow us to uncover molecular recognition/binding events of the protein-protein, protein-peptide, and protein-DNA nature.

Scientists at the Molecular Evolution core can offer their expertise in tailoring the most appropriate phage display system to meet your lab's demands. We are confident in generating high-quality libraries with a diversity of 10⁸. We can also modify and adjust standard biopanning strategies to meet your specific needs for selection.

Please contact us at molecular.evolution@ibb.gatech.edu for more information on this service.

DNA and RNA Synthesis

Ordering primers from companies like IDT or Eurofins is fast and inexpensive. However, when it comes to orders of mg quantities of RNA/DNA oligos with or without modifications, the price tag can skyrocket and reach thousands of dollars. To address the growing demand for such oligos on campus, we will soon be introducing RNA/DNA oligo synthesis as a service. Stay tuned for more information!

Colony Picking

Do you have multiple agar plates filled with bacterial colonies and no time to pick them? Our core houses a QPix2 XT Colony Picking Robot that can pick thousands of colonies in a matter of minutes for just $20 a 96-well plate. 

Click here to place an order for this service.

Check the size of your DNA/RNA fragment with great precision using the SeqStudio™ Genetic Analyzer System at the Molecular Evolution Core. We have the option of core staff processing your samples for you or giving you the chance to take complete ownership of your project by training you to run your samples yourself because this plug-and-play instrument delivers gold-standard Sanger sequencing technology and fragment analysis with just a simple click.

The core is home to a QIAcube that can perform complete hands-off DNA and RNA extraction, saving you hours of precious time. Either bring your own Qiagen extraction kits or use reagents available at the core to extract DNA or RNA from your samples.

Click here to request the DNA service and here for RNA.

Do you need your graduate students to learn the art of cloning? The Molecular Evolution Core can provide the appropriate training. Our staff will teach you how to avoid the common pitfalls of cloning projects to help you get your desired plasmids with no time wasted. Please email us at molecular.evolution@ibb.gatech.edu for more information on this service.

Please contact us at molecular.evolution@ibb.gatech.edu for more information on our error-prone PCR service.