The Advanced Genomics Core is happy to provide letters of support for grant applications. Email [email protected] to request a letter. Please include your name and affiliation, the type of application you are submitting, the title of your proposal, the core services you will be using, and a brief description of your project.

The University of Michigan operates the Biomedical Research Core Facilities, a University-wide resource that provides state-of-the-art technical services for UM researchers. These Core Facilities include: Advanced Genomics, Epigenomics, Bioinformatics, Transgenic Mouse Production, Embryonic Stem Cell Lab, Vector Core, Flow Cytometry Core, Molecular Biology Stores, and others. 

The Advanced Genomics Core is a shared resource that provides advanced molecular technologies to support the full range of biomedical research conducted at the University of Michigan. The core was created in 1993 as an automated Sanger sequencing facility, and since then has established an excellent reputation for high quality and cost-effective service work. Over the years, we have dramatically expanded to include a wide variety of other genetic analysis services, including microarray systems (Illumina), single cell platforms (10x Genomics, Takara, Parse Biosciences, MissionBio), spatial platforms (GeoMx, Visium with CytAssist, Curio Seeker, and Xenium), and next generation sequencing (Illumina, Oxford Nanopore). We prepare more than 10,000 libraries a year and accommodate more than 2400 Single-Cell samples per year. The Core occupies over 10,000 square feet of pre- and post-PCR laboratory space and employs 26 FTEs to provide researchers with access to next-generation sequencing, genotyping, epigenetic, and gene expression analysis technologies on a recharge basis. Our people and processes are supported by a custom Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), providing sample tracking, data Q/C, data processing, and automated data distribution. Computational and informatics support is provided by a dedicated IT staff of five full-time individuals.

Major Core equipment:

The Advanced Genomics Core employs multiple mechanisms to ensure rigor and reproductivity in the daily operations of the facility. All samples are subjected to quality assessment upon entering the facility and customers are provided with guidelines for determining if they want to proceed with downstream assays. Core methods are well documented in the form of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assays include appropriate positive and negative controls and contain at least one quality control step to verify success of the method.  AGC equipment are subjected to instrumentation management plans, which include preventative maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer. Before release of files, data are subjected to quality control steps, which include verifying that instrumentation performance met manufacturers specification and initial data processing steps that ensure assay reagents worked as expected.

Next generation sequencing projects have lots of options, our website tool is excellent for playing with project parameters and obtaining estimates.

The Advanced Genomics Core holds weekly office hours for project planning and consultation. Please reach out to us if you would like to discuss how our technologies can be applied to your area of research.

Most core services use advanced technologies that are both complex and expensive. While we offer these in a fee-for-service format that typically does not warrant authorship, we appreciate the expertise our AGC Research Specialists bring to the University of Michigan Research Enterprise. Please support our team by acknowledging AGC services in your publication with a sentence such as the following: “Library prep and next-generation sequencing was carried out in the Advanced Genomics Core at the University of Michigan.”

For studies that include our single cell or spatial transcriptomics services, please also add the following: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institutes of Health under Award Number P30CA046592 by the use of the following Cancer Center Shared Resource: Single Cell and Spatial Analysis Shared Resource.

• Requests for processing samples not specified at the time of the submission may require additional turnaround time and fees above initial estimates.
• The core does not return unused samples or portions of samples. Only submit aliquots to the core; do not submit your entire sample.
• All samples provided by the user will be subjected to quality control. In the case that the user elects to proceed with samples not meeting minimum core requirements (i.e. fail quality check), the core is not responsible for the quality of the preps or data originating from those samples.
• The user is responsible for downloading all data files provided by the core. The AGC maintains a copy of all data generated for 180 days (~ 6 months). While the AGC may be able to replace lost files after 180 days, it is not a general expectation and will result in additional charges.
• The user agrees to include/acknowledge the use of AGC services in any publications that result from this work.
• The user is in compliance with all institutional, state and federal rules governing the performance of research involving human or animal samples.