DNA Sequencing Minicore Facility

DNA测序微型设备（Minicore）旨在为NCI基础科学部的研究人员提供DNA序列样品的快速处理。我们的目标是尽可能快速有效地生成准确的数据。该设施由两台ABI 377 Prism自动DNA测序仪和相关计算机，PCR机和设备组成。这些机器能够读取多达750个碱基对，准确率为95%。一个专业的工作人员，专门分配给MiniCore，使它几乎可以像研究者实验室的专用机器一样快速地生成数据。因此，我们减少了对这种专用机器的需要，从而为该司节省了大量经费。该设施接受来自基础科学部任何成员的样本。我们目前列出了来自22个实验室的259个活跃用户。通常由用户进行测序反应，但我们也接受DNA样本进行MiniCore的反应。通过限制我们提供的服务范围，我们专注于我们的操作和优化性能。在过去的12个月里，我们处理了23498个样品，比上一年增长了56.5%。然而，我们的平均周转时间实际上已经从1.17天减少到0.68天（即从样品提交到样品电泳的加权平均工作日数-应该增加额外的一天，以允许数据生成并发送给用户）。

The DNA Sequencing Minicore Facility (MiniCore) is designed to provide investigators in the Division of Basic Science of the NCI with rapid processing of their DNA sequence samples. Our goal is to generate accurate data as rapidly and efficiently as possible. The facility consists of two ABI 377 Prism automatic DNA sequencers and associated computers, PCR machines and equipment. These machines are capable of reading up to 750 base pairs with 95% accuracy. A professional staff, assigned exclusively to the MiniCore, makes it possible to generate data almost as rapidly as could be expected with a dedicated machine in the investigator's laboratory. Thus we lessen the need for such dedicated machines, which results in significant savings for the Division. The facility accepts samples from any member of the Division of Basic Sciences. We currently list 259 active users from 22 laboratories. Usually the user does the sequencing reaction, but we also accept DNA samples for reactions by the MiniCore. By limiting the range of services we offer, we focus our operation and optimize performance. In the past 12 months we have processed 23498 samples, a 56.5% increase over the preceding year. Our average turnover time, however, has actually decreased from 1.17 to 0.68 days (i.e. the weighted average number of business days from sample submission to when the samples are electrophoresed - an extra day should be added to allow the data to be generated and sent to the user). The Division subsidizes the MiniCore's operating expenses. The actual per-sample cost to the Division, and the turnover time, are considerably better than can be obtained from external, commercial sources. We charge $8.50 for each sample electrophoresed. An additional $12.00 is charged for each sample submitted for reaction and electrophoresis. We also support several sequence analysis programs for both PC and MacIntosh computers. These programs are made available to our user community at no charge. Finally, we also interact with users for troubleshooting, and in the design and interpretation of experiments involving DNA sequencing