Sample Preparation

Pipette and samples

Preparation of high-quality DNA and protein samples from biological material is a critical first step of most biotechnology applications. The CBFG maintains a variety of instruments to aid in sample preparation.

Learn more about our Sample Preparation capabilities.

DNA Sequence Analysis

The core activity of the CBFG is DNA sequence analysis. It is the order of nucleotide bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine) in a molecule of DNA that defines every living organism. We are well equipped to support any sequencing projects, large or small.

Learn more about our DNA Sequence Analysis capabilities.

DNA Fragment Analysis

In order to sequence long DNA pieces, such as a whole chromosome (a cell structure consisting of DNA and protein), it is necessary to work with much shorter DNA fragments. The DNA sequencing instrumentation in the CBFG is also used for various types of DNA fragment analysis.

Learn more about our DNA Fragment Analysis capabilities.

Real-Time PCR

Real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is perhaps the most important tool for analysis of gene expression. PCR enables us to generate many copies of a single DNA piece. The CBFG maintains several different instrument platforms for real-time (quantitative) PCR and provides training for real-time PCR experimental design.

Learn more about our Real-Time PCR capabilities.

Proteomics

A growing area of support in the center is proteomics, with the addition of a Thermo Fisher OrbiTrap MS in Pearson Hall. Like genomics, which is the study of large sets of genes, proteomics is the study of large sets of proteins and how these proteins change under different biological conditions. The CBFG provides training and equipment for 2-D gel-based proteomics, MALDI MS (Dept of Chemistry) and OrbiTrap MS (Dept of Microbiology).

Learn more about our Proteomics capabilities.

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is the science of managing DNA and protein sequence data – aka ‘big data’. The CBFG provides a very wide range of software and Linux based computer resources for bioinformatics.

Learn more about our Bioinformatics capabilities.