KUGR: Facilitating Genomics Research at UNM Health Sciences Center
Location: CRF 118 and CRF 124
Shared instruments available Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
(other times may be available by special arrangement)
The Keck-UNM Genomics Resource (KUGR) is a shared resource that provides access to microarrays, real-time PCR and next generation sequencing technologies, coupled with expert bioinformatics analysis. The facility receives partial financial support from the UNM Cancer Center and from the UNM Clinical Translational Science Center. Although KUGR still receives some support from the State of New Mexico Tobacco Settlement Funds, that support has been cut back dramatically in the last few years. KUGR is available for use by all faculty at UNM and its affiliates, and all investigators are encouraged to contact KUGR to find out how we can help with their research.
The KUGR shared resource has a complete Affymetrix system including two automated hybridization/fluidics stations and a high-resolution GeneChip scanner with autoloader as well as a suite of specialized instruments for the analysis of nucleic acids. The KUGR facility offers a range of services including:
Some next-gen sequencing assays are performed on the Polonator instrument, including epigenetics and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) assays. KUGR staff also have access to Ion Torrent sequencing instruments, and other next-gen sequencing assays can be performed through our affiliated providers, including The National Center for Genome Resources in Santa Fe.
- Affymetrix 3'-Expression Arrays: The standard gene expression arrays use up to 22 probe sets per transcript to measure the abundance of the 3'-ends of up to 45,000 well-characterized and less characterized transcripts.
- Affymetrix All-Exon Arrays: The most complete gene expression arrays from Affymetrix detect expression of more than 1.4 million well-characterized and predicted exons, divided into 250,000 transcript clusters. These arrays are ideal for studying gene expression and alternative RNA splicing and for detecting non-coding RNAs.
- Affymetrix SNP Genotyping: By measuring up to 2,000,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms distributed throughout the genome, these arrays are designed for whole genome association studies. The Affymetrix SNP 6.0 arrays can map genetic loci and can detect loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and changes in copy number.
- TaqMan SNP Assays: KUGR uses high throughput real time PCR (TaqMan) assays to measure single nucleotide polymorphisms in human samples. This assay is appropriate for measuring a few or a few dozen SNPs per sample.
- Expert Bioinformatics Data Analysis: KUGR facility staff use sophisticated data analysis methods to analyze gene expression and genotyping data and strive to provide our users with publication-quality figures for their manuscripts or grant applications.
- Real Time PCR: The KUGR Facility staff is highly experienced and can perform real-time PCR assays for UNM laboratories. These assays are ideal for quantitative measurements of gene expression and for detection of human SNPs using commercial assays.
- Epigenetics Assays: Affymetrix promoter tiling arrays have probes centered 35 nt apart across the promoters of 25,000 genes. These arrays are designed for epigenetics assays such as detecting promoter methylation or for performing chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP on chip) assays.
Please acknowledge the KUGR facility in your publications !
Staff and Contact Information:
The KUGR facility is located in Cancer Research Facility Room 118
Faculty Director:
Scott A. Ness, Ph.D.
Professor, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Office: CRF 121; Tel: (505) 272-9883
Faculty Co-Director:
Jeremy S. Edwards, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Office: CRTC 332; Tel: (505) 272-9374
Technical Director:
Gavin Pickett, Ph.D.
CRF 118
Tel: (505) 272-5564
Senior Technical Staff:
Jamie Padilla
CRF 118
Tel: (505) 272-5564
Important Links:
Affymetrix
Applied Biosystems
Danaher Motion
Polonator
National Center for Genome Resources