TGAC Receives Advanced NGS Training
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PerkinElmer offers sample preparation, detection and imaging technologies, informatics solutions and laboratory services to support scientific research. As a significant European reference site for PerkinElmer's NGS enabling technologies, the training took place in TGAC’s new training suite and laboratories utilising the Institute’s cutting-edge suite of liquid handling robots available for genome sequencing analysis projects, which include an array of PerkinElmer technologies.
Over the two-day workshop, the delegates were guided through the topics of installation, optimisation, validation and customisation of protocols for PerkinElmer’s JANUS® NGS Express™ and Sciclone NGS platforms. Through a variety of computer and laboratory-based exercises attendees gained the skills, knowledge and practical experience required to implement these protocols in their own research facilities.
In addition to the training, PerkinElmer’s LabChip® GX Touch was on display and is now available for demonstration in TGAC’s lab. The LabChip® GX Touch for Genomics performs microfluidics capillary electrophoresis for RNA and DNA quantification.
PerkinElmer’s technologies are used for TGAC’s library construction process in genome analysis projects, such as the recent exome capture projects where TGAC built a high throughput pipeline using PerkinElmer instruments. TGAC has used an existing method from PerkinElmer and modified it for TGAC’s purposes, reflecting the robustness of PerkinElmer’s solutions.
Gawain Bennett, Research Assistant in the Platforms & Pipelines group at TGAC and coordinator of the training, said: “Although as a coordinator, I have attended every course that has been held at TGAC and I still find something new from the session. The PerkinElmer are developed in such a way that there is always more to learn for advanced users. It means that users at any skill level can use the instruments and also learn something new.”
“I think it is very useful having an overview and hearing different people’s perspectives and how they approach their problems. The course has been very tailored - you can directly ask about your problems and application and that’s very useful,” said participant Sandra Nicoletti, Biomedical Scientist at Public Health England.
Paul Lomax, Strategic Business Development Leader for Genomics & NGS, PerkinElmer commented: “We strive to ensure that all of our customers are able to gain the most insights from using our systems. NGS library preparation chemistries change regularly, and it is vital that our users are able to take advantage of new developments to provide the maximum impact for their research. This training enables them to develop and optimise new protocols, as well as exchange knowledge and ideas with their peers.”
“Knowledge exchange is an extremely important activity for TGAC and we are delighted that we can work with PerkinElmer to share what we have learned at TGAC over the years with colleagues from across Europe. The advanced training programme is a great example of how industry and academia can work together to deliver impact and we look forward to delivering many more events with PerkinElmer,” added Stuart Catchpole, Head of Business Development and Communications at TGAC.
