The sequence data is transmitted to the investigator's laboratory through the University's network system by the next working day. Molecular research is rapidly moving into the area of clinical research as well as diagnosis. Many of the newer MRC clients are interested in these molecular approaches but often have neither the technical background nor the laboratory facilities to carry out their projects. In response to this need, MRC personnel have initiated several complete sequencing pilot projects. Contrary to existing automated DNA sequencing, these projects no longer require principal investigators to isolate and chemically label the sequences prior to bringing them to the MRC DNA Sequencing Facility.
Investigators simply request that specific genes be sequenced.
We are now working on several oncogenes that are of interest to a broad group of clinical investigators at UT Memphis. Once the logistics and costs of this approach have been worked out, we plan to expand this service to other gene types. In operation since 1992, this laboratory is staffed by a full time technician. It is operated on a charge-back system that includes the cost of reagents, but not the cost of providing technical support. For lecture notes on DNA sequencing methods, click here.