Genome Technology Access Center (GTAC)

LEADERSHIP:

Richard Head

Website: http://gtac.wustl.edu/

Positioned within the McDonnell Genome Institute (MGI), the Genome Technology Access Center (GTAC) provides access to all of its genomics technologies and services to Siteman Cancer Center (SCC) researchers at Washington University (WU) and beyond. In addition to research services, the GTAC provides access to numerous clinical platforms. Services include next-generation sequencing (NGS), microarray analyses, highthroughput polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other specialized services on a fee-for-service basis. Clinical sequencing, microarrays, and PCR are done in CAP/CLIA certified laboratories. Assistance is available at all stages of a project, including experimental design, sample preparation, quality control, PCR/microarray/sequencing procedures, data management, analysis, and interpretive analytics. GTAC is a WU shared resource supported by both Siteman Cancer Center through its Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) and the WU Clinical & Translational Science Award (CTSA). SCC and CTSA work cooperatively with GTAC to strengthen its infrastructure. The GTAC laboratories and offices occupy approximately 27,000 sq. ft. on the 4th and 5th floors of the 4444 Forest Park Parkway building. GTAC is currently staffed by approximately 75 scientists and technicians.

The vision and specific aims of GTAC are:

Aim 1: To provide SCC members with facilitated and cost-effective access to high-complexity genomic analysis platforms, including Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS), long-read and structural genomics including PacBio and BioNano, all major microarray platforms (Affymetrix, Illumina, Agilent), and sensitive yet highthroughput PCR analysis (Fluidigm). Additionally, the lab provides a clinically accredited laboratory environment for processing clinical specimens for both diagnostic and cancer clinical trial applications. In addition, the accredited laboratory is available for further development, validation, and translation of genome-based biomarker assays toward their use in cancer clinical trials and, ultimately, routine cancer patient management.

Aim 2: To provide SCC investigators with not only the ability to execute high-throughput genomic assays, but also with the expertise to facilitate the analysis of the data. GTAC bioinformatics provides tools, analytical pipelines to streamline analyses, and interpretative analytical tools such as MVRSION and COMPBIO. The technology, informatics, and application support are provided across the spectrum of basic research to clinical care.

Aim 3: Collaborating with other departments within the MGI, TECHD@MGI and FIVE@MGI, GTAC will develop and apply innovative technologies in the areas of functional and spatial genomics to further cutting-edge oncologic research with the eventual goal of clinical utility. Within the bioinformatic space, GTAC will complete the development of fully clinically validated vaccine trial workflow and a next-generation AI platform that will combine the novel contextual memory model of COMPBIO with Machine Learning into a first-of-its-kind Artificial Thought Engine to rapidly accelerate genomic and mulit-omic data interpretation.

LOCATION: Cortex Building, Room 205, 4320 Forest Park Ave

PRICING: Please contact the core for current pricing of services offered.

TO ACCESS: Call 314-286-1276 or e-mail [email protected]

NIH PUBLIC ACCESS POLICY: As of April 7, 2008, the NIH requires investigators with a publication using Siteman (or other NIH-funded) shared resources to submit (or have submitted for them) their final, peer reviewed manuscripts to PubMed Central(PMC) upon acceptance of publication, to be made publicly available within 12 months of publication. Many journals automatically submit these for authors, but Washington University also has assistance available through the Becker Medical Library. Please see https://becker.wustl.edu/services/author-analytics-and-support/compliance/#:~:text=The%20NIH%20Public%20Access%20Policy,upon%20acceptance%20of%20the%20publication for more information.

PUBLICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: If research supported by the Genome Technology Access Center results in publication, please acknowledge this support by including the following in your publication(s):

We thank the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. and the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) at Washington University in St. Louis, for the use of the Genome Technology Access Center, which provided __________ service. The Siteman Cancer Center is supported in part by an NCI Cancer Center Support Grant #P30 CA091842 and the ICTS is funded by the National Institutes of Health’s NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program grant #UL1 TR002345.