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TCAG Facilities

Cytogenomics and Genome Resources

Our Cytogenomics and Genome Resources Facility provides a comprehensive suite of cytogenetic and physical mapping services, DNA samples, clones and other resources to researchers both in the academic community and in the private sector.

Please see our terms of use.

I. CYTOGENOMICS

1. Cytogenomics Overview

The Cytogenomics Facility offers a wide variety of services for chromosomal analysis, using both conventional and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) technologies for many different research applications.

Please contact the facility prior to making a request on our LIM system if inquiring about specific services, to design experiments or to schedule submission of cells in culture.

Note that obtaining metaphase chromosomes for analysis requires submission of live cells – cells either in culture or as tissue samples (blood, skin, mouse splenocytes).

* For certified hospital clinical Cytogenetics, please contact The Hospital for Sick Children's Cytogenetics Laboratory.

Services offered include (click on link to view sample results):

  • G-band karyotyping of chromosomes from cultures of:
    • Human: lymphocyte, lymphoblastoid line, fibroblast, human Embryonic Stem Cells, human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Acrobat 322 KB)
    • Primate: lymphoblastoid line, fibroblast
    • Mouse: splenocyte, fibroblast, mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, (Acrobat 346 KB) mouse induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
    • Rat: fibroblast
    • Please contact the facility regarding options for karyotyping other organisms
    • Karyotype screen (Acrobat 274 KB) is an accelerated service option for reporting of high-proportion of karyotypically abnormal G-banded metaphase cells from cell line preparations.
      This option is only available if a clonal chromosome abnormality (or if an unexpected sex chromosome complement) is found in all of the first five metaphase cells analyzed from one cell line sample.
      In these instances, the analysis is halted and a report is generated based on the analysis of the five metaphase cells (five metaphase cells counted for chromosome number and then karyotyped). This option has a faster turnaround time and lower cost of $350/sample (as compared to $600.00 for full analysis).
  • FISH mapping (metaphase, interphase)
    • Inversion testing, three colour (metaphase or interphase) (Acrobat 240 KB)
    • Physical mapping (Actobat 341 KB)
    • Breakpoint mapping (translocation, inversion, insertion)
    • Deletion, duplication testing
  • Sequential G-banding to FISH for mapping of transgenic insertion sites using chromosome preparations generated from cultures of:
  • Fiber FISH
  • Fluorescent labeling of BAC clones (for FISH mapping by customers)
  • Whole genome array Comparative Genomic Hybridization offered by the Microarray Facility

2. Cytogenomics Pricing

Service Blood Lymphoblast
cell line
Spleen Fibroblast
cell line
Fibroblast
no culture
ESC IPS
Karyotyping $500 $500 $625 $750 $600 $600 $600
2 colour interphase FISH $550 $550 $675 $700 $575 $575 $575
3 colour interphase FISH $625 $625 $750 $775 $650 $650 $650
4 colour interphase FISH $700 $700 $825 $850 $725 $725 $725
1 colour metaphase FISH $450 $450 $575 $600 $475 $475 $475
2 colour metaphase FISH $525 $525 $650 $675 $550 $550 $550
3 colour metaphase FISH $600 $600 $750 $775 $625 $625 $625
4 colour metaphase FISH $675 $675 $825 $850 $700 $700 $700
Sequential G to FISH $800 $800 $925 $950 $825 $825 $825
$75Genomic clone retrieval & fluorescent labeling using Biotin or DIG, SpectrumOrange or SpectrumGreen

3. Sample Submission

Scheduling sample submission for culturing and/or harvesting:

Please contact the facility to schedule prior to submission of cells for Cytogenomics experiments or making a request using our LIM System.

Sample requirements for different tissue types:

  1. Blood culture and karyotyping:
    2-5mL peripheral blood in Sodium Heparin collection tubes (green top)
    Store and transport at room temperature
  2. Lymphoblastoid line establishment for FISH experiments:
    Children: 3-5mL peripheral blood in ACD collection tubes (yellow top)
    Adults: 5 -8mL peripheral blood in ACD collection tubes (yellow top)
    Store and transport at room temperature
  3. Mouse splenocyte culture and karyotyping/ FISH studies:
    Please contact the facility, giving some details of experimental requirement
  4. Mouse embryonic stem cell karyotyping/ FISH studies:
    Please contact the facility, giving some details of experimental requirement

Submit samples using the Clarity LabLink server

For instructions on creating an account, placing an order etc., download the following document.

Sample Submission forms (Microsoft Excel format)

  1. Cytogenomics (Excel 40 KB)

II. GENOME RESOURCES

1. Genome Resources Overview

The Genome Resources Facility provides genomic mapping services including retrieval of clones from the on-site repository, database analysis, annotation and probe selection. Specific highlights are as follows:

  • Fluorescent labeling of BAC clones (for Canadian laboratories only)
  • Clone Repository and individual clone retrieval
    • Human BAC, mouse BAC
    • Human and mouse Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) cDNA libraries
  • Human Control DNA samples
  • Genomic library screening
    • Human BAC and P1, mouse BAC and P1, porcine BAC, canine BAC
  • Database queries, annotation, probe selection and fluorescent labeling

2. Detailed Services and Resources

Please note that there are restrictions on distribution of some of these sample and library resources.
For further information, please contact the facility.

Clone Repository and individual clone retrieval

Human cDNA Library
Mouse cDNA Library

Please note other cDNA clones and additional control sets are available for purchase and shipping. For further information, contact the facility.

Human Control DNA samples

NEW! Population Control DNA Samples Now Available
Control DNA samples from the Ontario Population Genomics Platform are now available at a charge of $650 per 96-well plate (2 micrograms per sample). Please contact the facility for details.

* There are restrictions on distribution of some of the sample and library resources. In these cases, experiments can be performed in-house at TCAG if necessary. For further information, contact the facility.

3. Genome Resources Pricing

Service Cost
Genomic clone retrieval and fluorescent labeling using Biotin or DIG, SpectrumOrange or SpectrumGreen, DEAC (aqua)
(Canadian laboratories only)
$100
Bacterial stab of clones odered based on database $20
Purified DNA from clone $45
Bacterial stab of clones ordered based on database $20
Purified DNA from clone $45

We can accommodate a wide variety of requests for resources and experimental procedures not listed above. For information on pricing for services not listed above, please contact the facility.

4. Requesting a sample

Request services using the Clarity LabLink server. For instructions on creating an account, placing an order etc., download the following document.

Sample Submission forms (Microsoft Excel format)

5. Facility Contact

Jo-Anne Herbrick
Facility Director, Cytogenomics & Genome Resources

The Centre for Applied Genomics
The Hospital for Sick Children
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
686 Bay Street, Room 139800
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 0A4, Canada
Tel: 416-813-8140, (Internal: 308140)
Email:

For questions or comments contact the TCAG Manager,

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teaching and research centre dedicated exclusively to children; affiliated with the University of Toronto. For general inquires please call: 416-813-1500.
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