Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes X Conference Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes X ConferenceJanuary 12-16, 2002
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Poster: Genome Sequencing & ESTs
The Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) is a National Facility with resources providing high-throughput (HTP) sequencing and genotyping to Australian and overseas groups. It has an established microarray facility and is in the process of developing SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) detection to complement the other gene analysis services. The HTP sequencing division in Brisbane currently processes in excess of 20,000 samples monthly in a “core-facility” operation. In addition, the division undertakes large scale DNA sequencing of cDNA/EST libraries, shotgun sequencing/assembly of plasmids, cosmids, BACs and PACs, and genome sequencing and associated bioinformatics. Sample processing utilizes an integrated robotics system comprising a CRS robotic arm, Robbins Hydra96 and MJ Research thermocylers. Current technical developments include implementation of new sequencing chemistries, automation, and new sequencing strategies and methodologies. As the core HTP DNA sequencing resource in Australia, there is breadth of projects undertaken that are of either economic or regional significance to Australia. These include; coral, grape and wheat EST sequencing, genome sequencing of the Antarctic archea, Methanogenium frigidum. More recently, AGRF has been selected to collaborate in the Program in Medical Genomics initiative from the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia. The projects in this initiative comprise a number of medically important research studies: a 50,000 EST sequence analysis of the human mite, Sarcoptes scabiei to determine suitable vaccine candidates; SAGE analysis of neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration in the mouse brain and sequencing of the parasite Leptospira spp (4.8Mb) genome. Progress in these projects will be discussed.