The IoPPN Genomics & Biomarker Core Facility within King's College London offers an array of high-throughput genomics services from sample preparation to bioinformatics support. The facility is a CSPro certified provider of Illumina's platforms and assays for genotyping and gene expression and we can provide epigenetic profiling using the 450K BeadChip and immunoassays via MSD assays for cytokines and chemokines, with state-of-the-art robotics and LIMS tracking of samples at the MRC SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), KCL. We have also established Oxford Nanopore high-throughput next-generation long reads sequencing platform, PromethION to provide whole-genome sequencing, transcriptomics and methylome sequencing.
Certain items of equipment are available for use by individual researchers or groups based at King’s College London by prior arrangement and training will be provided where necessary. Please see the different sections in the following drop-down list for more information on each of these.
Genomic services we offer include:
- Experimental Design
- DNA/RNA extraction from blood & saliva
- Automated blood fractionation (Plasma, Serum, Buffy coat)
- Nucleic acid Quantification & QC
- Automated sample prep & normalisation
- Illumina genotyping, gene expression and methylation beadchip analysis
- Nanopore PromethION next-generation sequencing platform to support all the sequencing needs.
- Immunoassay analysis (cytokines and chemokines)
Our Equipment:
Illumina HiScan platform with Autoloader 2.X and Tecan Evo
The Illumina HiScan system is a dedicated array scanner that supports rapid, sensitive, and accurate imaging of Illumina's BeadAarray-based genetic analysis products. Applications include Whole Genome Genotyping and Copy Number Variation Analysis, Cytogenetic Analysis, DNA Methylation Analysis, FFPE Sample Analysis, Whole Genome Gene Expression profiling. Coupled with a customised Tecan liquid handling robot for sample preparation and the Autoloader 2.X for automated, continuous BeadChip array loading and scanning it is possible for us to process over a 1000 samples per week.
Oxford Nanopore PromethION high-throughput sequencing platform
We use this platform to produce high-throughput sequencing data from DNA and RNA molecules. Nanopore technology has several advantages over other sequencing techniques because they produce long sequencing reads up to 30Kb. Long sequencing reads gives unparalleled access to study genome variations particularly structural variations such as copy number variations (CNVs), insertions and deletions (INDELs) along with the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Nanopore technology also used to generate transcriptomics sequencing data from total RNA to study both coding and long non-coding RNAs to understand gene expression and regulatory mechanisms in a disease condition. We would also establish single cell RNA sequencing methods to study heterogeneity at single cell level.
Hamilton easyBlood fractionation system
Sample preparation often requires the splitting of blood samples into its basic components such as serum or plasma, or constituent cell types of white blood cells (buffy coat) and red blood cells. These separate components then are used for immediate sample analysis or DNA extraction or sent to a store for later use. The easyBlood system is designed to support this preparation process and maintain the quality and integrity of the sample and the associated data, and make it safer for the operator.
easyBlood is able to detect plasma, serum, buffy coat and gel separator fractions in centrifuged blood tubes and automatically separates and aliquots these fractions into target containers or downstream applications. The system uses CCD camera technology, software and precision hardware to identify the three fractions of blood and calculate their exact positions within the sample tube.
Hamilton Microlab STAR with integrated Thermo Cytomat 10 Hotel andBMG LABTECH CLARIOstar
The Microlab STAR is a multi-channel robotic pipetting platform designed to accommodate multiple applications in the life sciences. The STAR offers patented coupling technology, interchangeable disposable and steel tips, novel liquid level detection, monitored air-displacement pipetting, independently spreadable pipetting channels, improved contamination prevention and enhanced throughput options.
The Cytomat 10 Hotel is a high speed, automated ambient storage and incubation module for microplates that houses 10 stackers (up to 280 microplates).
The CLARIOstar® is a multimode microplate reader with advanced LVF Monochromators™, highly sensitive filters, and an ultra-fast UV/Vis spectrometer. It is a modular microplate reader with up to eight different detection modes: fluorescence intensity (including FRET), fluorescence polarization, luminescence (including BRET), UV/Vis absorbance, time-resolved fluorescence (including TR-FRET), and AlphaScreen®/AlphaLISA®.
This integrated system is capable of high throughput cherry-picking of samples, DNA/RNA quantification, sample normalisation and other applications including NGS library preparation.
Applied Biosystems 7900HT Real-time PCR
Our 7900HT, using a 384-well block, can measure gene expression levels, detect and quantitate pathogens, perform allelic discrimination (SNP genotyping) assays as well as score the presence of specific gene sequences.
Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer platform
Our Bioanalyzer uses microfluidic Lab-on-a-chip technology for the analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins as an alternative to standard gel electrophoresis techniques. The Bioanalyzer RNA kits are the industry standard for RNA quality assessment (RIN), allowing reliable and precise integrity checks and sample quantitation prior to use of samples in any RNA dependent application.
Our Bioanalyzer uses microfluidic Lab-on-a-chip technology for the analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins as an alternative to standard gel electrophoresis techniques. The Bioanalyzer RNA kits are the industry standard for RNA quality assessment (RIN), allowing reliable and precise integrity checks and sample quantitation prior to use of samples in any RNA dependent application.
MESO QuickPlex SQ 120
The QuickPlex instrument is the newest multiplexing instrument from MSD, offering affordable access to high performance, electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. The combination of rapid read times and the ability to perform multiple, simultaneous tests on a single sample increases productivity, conserves sample, and delivers results quickly. The QuickPlex has a wide menu of commercially available assay kits and a full line of components and reagents for developing your own assays.