Sample QC

We have well established and robustly validated QC/QA workflows. Quality is assessed at each stage of sample preparation and only samples meeting QC thresholds will move forward in each step of the protocol. Following data generation, the dataset is stringently assessed and any outlier samples are removed from (or flagged, as appropriate) the data set prior to further downstream analysis.

If you would like to have your samples quantified, QC’d or pre-processed (mechanical shearing and size selection services available), please complete our Service Request form.

We have a range of equipment for these services:

• Nanodrop 1000 microvolume UV-Vis spectrophotometer for accurate and sensitive DNA, RNA and protein quantitation
• Qubit 2.0 fluorimeter for accurate and sensitive DNA, RNA and protein quantitation that is unaffected by free nucleotides, salts and other contaminants. Additionally, we have a fluorometric plate-reader for high-thoughput.
• Agilent Tapestation 4200 System for assessment of RNA and DNA quality. The Tapestation system provides accurate, reproducible and validated QC of RNA and DNA with minimum sample volumes and high throughput. Agilent 2100 BioAnalyser QC analysis can also be performed on request.

Validation

You should always validate candidates identified using high density genomics platforms using biological and technical replicate sets. This can be done using Northerns, real-time PCR or qRT-PCR, targeted sequencing, etc as appropriate. For expression analysis, additional studies assessing the protein expression levels of key transcripts in important pathways as well as mechanistic studies will add to the strength of your study. Assess known markers of your phenotype as an internal control and ensure that existing scientific literature supports your findings/ biological interpretation.