Advanced Genomics & Computation Science Core

The M.H. Mohseni Urology Institute of Urological Sciences’ Advanced Genomics & Computational Science Core delivers expert genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics services. With state-of-the-art technologies and personalized project support, we accelerate discoveries that drive innovation in healthcare and translational research.

A translational multi-omics platform for cross-disciplinary research and innovation

The Genomics Core facility at the Vancouver Prostate Centre specializes in the acquisition, processing, statistical analysis, integration, and visualization of next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry data to enable and advance basic and translational research.

Overview

Our mission is to provide researchers and healthcare professionals with the best scientific support and high-quality multi-omics data. By combining cutting-edge technology with expert knowledge and analysis, we aim to advance our understanding of diseases to help develop new and innovative treatments.

We offer essential recommendations for generating and analyzing complex data from standard and challenging clinical samples to support the needs of academic and clinical scientists from not-for-profit research institutions and biotechnology companies. We emphasize collaborations to improve and grow our expertise continually. We help manage research projects from experimental design to data interpretation and support the researchers’ grant applications and publications.

We offer economically priced services based on a cost-recovery, not-for-profit model. Additionally, we provide training and education opportunities to help researchers stay updated with the latest advances in the field.

Since 2020, our expertise has been acknowledged in 43 publications (131 publications since 2012).

Our core facility offers:

Collaborative Teamwork

Capitalize on analytical methods without becoming an expert.
Extensive experience and highly trained personnel.
Experimental design and method development.
Sample preparation (tissue processing, DNA/RNA extraction and QC).
High-quality results for publications and grant proposals.
Cost-recovery, not-for-profit model, economical and personalized solutions.
Personalized solutions to address each project.
Pilot projects to evaluate technology performance.
Emphasize collaboration.

Genomics applications

10x Genomics and Fluent Biosciences single-cell sequencing.
Whole genome and exome sequencing.
RNA sequencing for gene expression.
Targeted DNA and RNA sequencing
Small RNA sequencing
Library sequencing

Mass Spectrometry Applications

Experimental design and method development.
Sample preparation.
IP, IGD, ISD.
Qualitative (label-free) and quantitative (TMT, SILAC).
Analytical chemistry and clinical pharmacology.

Data analysis expertise includes tailored bioinformatics support:

Use of discrete algorithms
Statistical analysis
Computational workflows to perform single-omic and integrated genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data analyses.
High-throughput data analysis is done on a high-performance cluster system.

Major equipment

Precellys Evolution for homogenization applications.
Maxwell RSC system for DNA and RNA extraction.
Agilent TapeStation 4200 for the quality control of DNA and RNA.
Covaris focused-ultrasonicator for DNA shearing.
10x Genomics Chromium for the preparation of single-cell RNA and DNA libraries.
Complete Genomics DNBSEQ-G400RS sequencer. Data output/run up to 3.6 G reads for 1.4 Tb data; max read length: SE400 & PE200. Capacity up to 48 WES at 150x in 3 days
Complete Genomics DNBSEQ-T7 sequencer. Data output/run up to 23 G reads for 6 Tb data; max read length: PE150. Capacity up to 48 human WGS at 30x in 30 hrs.
Thermo Fisher nanoLC Orbitrap Lumos, standard LC triple quad, standard LC with photometric detection for LC-MSMS
Computing infrastructure: 28 nodes / 896 cores / 2Pb of storage.