The unit offers RNA-seq library preparation, with multiple options such as ribo-depletion (Bacterial and Eukaryotic), poly-A enrichment, 3′-Tag-Seq (QuantSeq) libraries  All the libraries are constructed to retrieve the full transcript, exception for QuantSeq (3′-end sequencing). For single cell RNA-Seq please check this section

Sequencing is performed Single End (SE)100bp, PE100 (100+100) and SE150 (150+150). Optional SE50 is available under consulting.

The SMART-SEQ2 protocols we have available allow us to produce RNA-Seq libraries from very limited amounts of starting material (5ng of high-quality total RNA down to single cells). Reads cover complete transcripts and can be used to detect alternative splicing, in addition to regular differential expression.

Key features:

• Total RNA input as low as single cells (e.g. from FACS).

• Low-cost library construction with low-volume Nextera protocol.

Requirements:

• 5 to 5 ng of high quality total RNA or 1-300 single cells in RLT+ buffer (inquire for details).

We require total RNA samples. We do not perform RNA isolations in the lab.

The unit has implemented a low-volume Nextera protocol that uses the Tn5 transposase for tagmentation-based library construction.

Key features:

• Low input, low cost.

• Can also be used to sequence plasmids or amplicons (e.g. mix of PCR amplified genomic regions of interest).

• Sequencing on NextSeq2000 (e.g. 2x150bp PE) or MiSeq (e.g. 2x250bp PE).

Requirements:

• 1 ng of high quality genomic DNA or amplicon(s) larger than 400bp.

Nanopore sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) systems enables high-throughput long-read sequencing of both DNA and RNA samples. We offer long reads lib preparation and sequencing on a MinION instrument (PromethION P2 soon), with either MinION or Flongle flow cells.

 Key features:

• Long-read analysis.

• Simple 10-min sample prep available.

• Real-time analysis for rapid, efficient workflows.

• Adaptable to direct DNA or RNA sequencing.

Requirements:

• High quality, pure genomic DNA (gDNA).

• Purity as measured using Nanodrop – OD 260/280 ~ 1.8 and OD 260/230 ~ 2.0–2.2.

• Input mass, as measured by Qubit – 1 µg.

The unit offers 10X Genomics Visium Spatial Transcriptomics service with the Histopathology Facility. This allows for transcriptome-wide mapping of genes expression onto tissue sections, with concomitant H&E or IF staining. The option to process both FFPE slides (human and mouse only) or Fresh frozen tissues is available. An upgrade of the technique Visium HD, bringing single-cell resolution, will be released in the coming months. Please contact us for more details.

Classical 16S V4 rRNA sequencing

This metagenomic protocol focuses on the V4 region of bacteria 16S region (primers 515F-806R) and is designed to amplify from bacteria and archaea (Walters et al., 2016). Using a 280-multiplex approach on a 2x250bp PE MiSeq run we deliver up to 50.000 reads per sample. Other primers combinations on request (e.g. V4-V5)

Key features:

• 3 independent PCRs per sample to reduce bias.

• High multiplex to reduce cost per sample.

Requirements:

• 10 ul of each sample with a concentration of up to 100 ng/ul.

• If you’re planning to deliver more than 20 samples, please consider to use a PCR plate (96 wells, non-flat bottom) instead of tubes. Sample orientation A1->A12.

• For low biomass samples (≺ 10ng/ul) please contact us.

Express Service (V3-V4) and or ITS (96 samples)

Contact us for more information.

The unit offers two possibilities: 10x genomics and  one on the way Flash-seq (to be implemented).

10x Genomics is a single-cell profiling technology is becoming the most popular alternative for the analysis of large cell numbers. The platform allows for high-throughput analysis in a variety of cell types as well as single-cell nuclei. The workflow encapsulates cells or nuclei together with gel beads into nanodroplets. Different protocols are available: Gene Expression (GEX), scATAC, GEX+immune profiling and multiome (GEX + ATAC). Preliminary Single-cell data analysis is provided by Cell Ranger and Loupe Cell Browser software.

Possibilities: 

• Feature Barcoding can be useful to look for certain proteins on the cell surface (CITE-seq) or using markers in order to pool different samples into one channel (Cell Multiplexing/Cell Hashing). Cell plexing can be also achieved by using molecular tags.

For any queries please contact us.

Our Nucleic Acid QC service is based on 2 instruments: Fragment analyser and TapeStation both from Agilent.  Fragment analyser is more suitable for a large number of samples and TapeStation for fast QC acquisition and small number of samples ~7-8. Fragment analyser is more sensitive for low amounts of RNA/DNA while TapeStation can discriminate the sample quality in RIM (RNA) or DIM (DNA).

DNA - High Sensitivity NGS
DNA Fragment Concentration Range: 5 pg/uL - 500 pg/uL; DNA Smear Concentration Range: 50 pg/uL - 5000 pg/uL

RNA - High Sensitivity RNA
Quantitative Range (per smear) (Total RNA) 50 pg/uL - 5000 pg/uL; (mRNA) 500 pg/uL - 5000 pg/uL

TapeStation:

DNA - D1000: DNA Sizing Range: 35 bp - 1000 bp
Sample Concentration: 0.1 ng/µL - 50 ng/µL input DNA

DNA - D5000: DNA Sizing Range: 100 bp - 5000 bp
Sample Concentration: 0.1 ng/µL - 50 ng/µL input DNA

DNA - Genomic: Sizing Range: 200 bp - 60000 bp
Sample Concentration: 10 ng/µL - 100 ng/µL input DNA

RNA - High Sensitivity: Sizing Range: 100 bp - 6000 bp
Sample Concentration: 0.5 ng/µL - 10 ng/µL input RNA