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The Beckman Coulter CEQ 8800s and 8000 are fully automated genetic analysers based on capillary electrophoresis technology. Using an eight-capillary array and 96-well plate format they can perform several genetic analysis functions including DNA sequencing, SNP analysis, heterozygote detection, mutation analysis, and allele identification. DNA sequencing and SNP analysis are regularly used in this facility

PCR is carried out in 96-well plate format on MJ research Tetrad and Dyad blocks. PCR products are purified using Millipore filter plates for downstream applications such as DNA sequencing and micro-array.

DNA and RNA can be measured using only 1 or 2ul of sample on the NanoDrop spectrophotometer and on the Agilent Bioanalyser. Based on ‘Lab-on-a-chip’ technology using capillary electrophoresis the Agilent Bioanalyser is used to quantify and size DNA, and quantify and show the integrity of RNA and mRNA.

There are three real-time PCR machines:

• Applied Biosystems 7500FAST,
• Applied Biosystems 7700 and
• BioRad iCycler iQ.

BioRobotics MicroGrid II TAS is used to print micro- and macro-arrays, and for clone library management. Micro-arrays of up to 20,000 cDNAs are arrayed on to Corning GAPS slides for hybridisation and analysis within Genomics.

Macro-arrays of up to 1,576 PCR products or bacterial culture are arrayed on nylon membrane for downstream applications such as Southern hybridisation.

Micro-array hybridisations are carried out using a Genomics Solutions Hybridisation Station which has capacity for 12 slides and 6 individual programmes.

Subsequent scanning and analysis is carried out using a Genomic Solutions LS IV scanner.

Up to 6000 colonies can be picked per day into 96- or 384-well plates using the BioRobotics BioPick colony picker.

The Beckman Coulter Biomek 2000 liquid handling robot can be programmed to carry out repetitive liquid transfers, mixing etc. involving 96- and 384-well plate formats.

• 96-well based mini plasmid preparations are carried out using the Millipore Montage kit for downstream applications such as DNA sequencing, restriction digests and RFLP.