Ohio University Opens New Genomics Facility

Ohio University celebrated the grand opening of its new genomics facility. The National Science Foundation awarded a $450,000 grant to Department of Environmental and Plant Biology faculty members Sarah Wyatt and Morgan Vis to expand an existing research area into a genomics facility similar to those at large research universities.

The facility, located at Porter Hall, includes a DNA sequencer, spectrophotometer, microarray analysis system, quantitative PCR machine and bioanalyzer. The equipment can be used for clinical research, gene analysis and forensic testing.

“This facility was created to provide a faster, more economical alternative for Ohio University researchers studying genetics who had to ship their samples to other facilities for analysis,” said Vijayanand Nadella, director of the facility. “Now, it can be done right on campus, saving them time and money.”

The facility will also process requests from scientists outside Ohio University.  In addition, the genomics facility will provide equipment training to undergraduate and graduate students interested in genetic research.

Those attending the opening ceremony included College of Arts and Sciences Dean Ben Ogles, Interim Vice President for Research James Rankin, Provost Kathy Krendl, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Martin Tuck, Chair of the Molecular and Cell Biology Program Robert Colvin and various Ohio University faculty and student researchers.