Core Technology
Facilities

CGDN has 15 core facilities located across Canada designed to provide efficient access to sophisticated technologies which speed discovery. These facilities provide state-of-the-art support for Network research and efficient pooling of Network resources. These facilities have been a major factor in maintaining CGDN research at internationally competitive levels, and in stimulating commercial developments.

Genotyping
Director: Dr. Tom Hudson/Dr. Ken Morgan (Montreal General Hospital, Montreal)
Objective: This facility will provide high-throughput genotyping for genome-wide scans aimed at identifying candidate gene regions for genetic studies.

DNA Sequence Analysis
Director: Dr. Ben Koop (University of Victoria, Victoria)
Dr. Michael Hayden (University of B.C., Vancouver)
Dr. Stephen Scherer (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto)
Objective: Three DNA sequence facilities will provide dedicated DNA sequencing with data analysis for high accuracy sequence determination and for use as a screening tool in gene discovery.

Bioinformatics Training
Director: Mr. Francis Ouellette (University of B.C., Vancouver)
Objective: This facility will provide CGDN investigators and trainees with skills to use genomic and protein sequence databases to identify candidate genes.

DNA Fish Mapping
Director: Dr. Jeremy Squire (University of Toronto, Toronto)
Objective: This facility will use flourescence in situ hybridization for mapping genes and cDNAs to chromosomal regions of human and mouse genomes.

Transcribed Sequence Detection
Director: Dr. Johanna Rommens (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto)
Objective: This facility will identify transcribed sequences in genomic DNA in aid of gene discovery projects.

Genome Alteration in Mice
Director: Dr. Frank Jirik (University of B.C., Vancouver)
Dr. Andras Nagy/Dr. Janet Rossant (Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto)
Dr. Michael Rudnicki (McMaster University, Hamilton)
Objective: These 3 facilities will develop genetically modified mouse strains, including mice expressing transgenes, or having modification of endogenous genes by gene targeting.

Genome Alterations in C. elegans
Director: Dr. Joseph Culotti (Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto)
Objective: This facility will isolate mutated C. elegans gene homologues of human disease genes for investigation of gene action, regulation, and development of strategies for therapeutics development.

In vivo DNA Analysis Director: Dr. Régen Drouin
Objective: This core facility will analyze the physical state of DNA in vivo to yield information on protein-DNA interactions, DNA methylation status, and distribution of natural and induced DNA damage.

Protein-protein interactions
Director: Dr. Jack Greenblatt/Dr. James Friesen/Dr. Tony Pawson (University of Toronto, Toronto)
Objective: This facility will combine solid phase protein-affinity chromatography with time-of-flight spectrometry to isolate and identify interacting proteins.

Immunoprobes
Director: Dr. John Wilkins (University of Manitoba, Winnipeg)
Obejctive: This facility will produce polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and provide advice on antigen design and detection assays for antibody generation.