Genomics Core Policies

Please thoroughly review core policies prior to submitting samples or initiating a project. If you have any questions regarding these policies or questions related to services, please contact core staff at (mugenomicscore@missouri.edu).



DNA (Sanger) Sequencing Services

Sample Submission - The general guidelines for submitting samples are provided on our website: Sequencing Submission Guidelines. Researchers are responsible to ensure that samples have been prepared to the Genomics Core specifications.

Turnaround Time - All samples are handled on a first come first serve basis. The Genomics Core provides sequencing data in a turn around time of 24 hours. Turnaround time is defined as the period between the physical submission of a sample at the facility and the upload of results to the dnaLIMS server. Only business days (Monday through Friday) are used in determining turnaround time; university holidays excluded.

Deliverables - Data is returned as a chromatogram (.ab1) and text (.seq) file. Good quality template will provide ~1,100 bases of quality sequence data. While the Genomics Core strives to provide quality sequence for every sample submitted, we cannot be responsible for poor results due to factors outside of our control (i.e., secondary structure, poorly annealing primers, improperly submitted samples, etc.). If it is determined that a failed reaction was caused by instrument malfunction or a chemistry issue, the reaction will be repeated at no charge. Otherwise, all other reactions, including failed reactions, are billed at full cost.

Data Retention - Data is made available via the web through a secure login on the Genomics Core's dnaLIMS server. Sequence data is maintained for 6 months by the Genomics Core after which data will be deleted and no longer available. Researchers are strongly encouraged to download and review data as soon as possible once the run is completed.

Billing

  • University of Missouri System Researchers- University of Missouri researchers must provide an account code (MO code) at the time of sample submission. Services performed are billed monthly. Charges are posted to researcher accounts in PeopleSoft mid-month proceeding the end of a monthly billing cycle. Billing reports are distributed to department fiscal personnel for review. If you are a researcher who would like to receive these reports directly as well, contact core staff at (mugenomicscore@missouri.edu).

  • U.S. Academic Institution/U.S. Government Agency Researcher - Payments by purchase order or credit card(Mastercard or Visa) are accepted. Projects with payment by purchase order require that the purchase order be established prior to the performance of services. The process for review and approval typically requires 3-4 days. Please keep the time requirement for the approval process in mind when planning project deadlines as this process cannot be waived. Services performed are invoiced monthly.

  • U.S. For-Profit Clients - Clients will be invoiced directly for services with payments being made by purchase order or credit card (Mastercard or Visa). All arrangements must be established prior to the performance of services. To initiate this process, contact core staff at (mugenomicscore@missouri.edu). Services performed are invoiced monthly.

  • International Clients - Services are initiated by contacting the Genomics Core Facility (mugenomicscore@missouri.edu) and requesting a formal quote which defines the scope of work and service cost. A copy of a purchase order must be submitted to the Genomics Core Facility on accounts payable letterhead prior to services being performed. Full payment for a project must be received with sample submission.

  • Note: All 96-well plates are billed as an entire plate regardless if the plate is partially filled.


Fragment Analysis Services

Sample Submission - The general guidelines for submitting samples are provided on our website: Fragment Analysis Submission Guidelines. Researchers are responsible to ensure that samples have been prepared to Genomics Core specifications.

Turnaround Time - All samples are handled on a first come first serve basis. The Genomics Core provides fragment analysis data in an average turnaround time of 48-36 hours. Whole plate submissions can be processed in 24 hours. Turnaround time is defined as the period between the physical submission of a sample at the facility and the upload of results to the dnaLIMS server. Only business days (Monday through Friday) are used in determining turnaround time; university holidays excluded.

Deliverables - Data is returned as an Applied Biosystems genetic analysis data format file(.fsa). An internal lane standard is included in each lane providing a quality control for electrophoresis. While the Genomics Core strives to provide quality fragment sizing for every sample submitted, we cannot be responsible for poor results due to factors outside of our control (i.e., incorrect dye usage, improper post-PCR cleanup, etc.). If it is determined that a failed reaction was caused by instrument malfunction or a chemistry issue, the reaction will be repeated at no charge. Otherwise, all other reactions, including failed reactions, are billed at full cost.

Data Retention - Data is made available via the web through a secure login on the Genomics Core's dnaLIMS server. Fragment analysis data is maintained for 6 months by the Genomics Core after which data will be deleted and no longer available. Researchers are strongly encouraged to download and review data as soon as possible once the run is completed.

Billing - Billing policy is the same as outlined under Sanger sequencing services.

Note: All 96-well plates are billed as an entire plate regardless if the plate is partially filled.


Illumina Sequencing Services

Sample Submission - The general guidelines for submitting samples are provided on our website: Guidelines for Illumina Project Initiation. These are general recommendations but input amounts can vary. Discuss input requirements with core staff. Researchers are responsible to ensure that samples have been prepared to Genomics Core final specifications.

Run Schedule - Libraries are not scheduled for sequencing on Illumina instruments until submitted to the Genomics Core. Reservation of instrument time is not accepted.

Deliverables

  • Data is delivered in FASTQ format via a secure download. Additional analysis can be contracted separately with the Informatics Research Core Facility at ircf@missouri.edu.

  • Data Yield - All data generated is done to meet Illumina specifications in terms of quality and yield.

    Exceptions: The Genomics Core strives to successfully sequence all samples generating high quality data. However, the core cannot be responsible for improperly prepared samples. Therefore, we make no guarantees on data quality or data output, if:

    1. Libraries are prepared by the user, as we have minimal control over quality.
    2. Samples are submitted that do not meet minimum submission requirements.
    3. Libraries constructed with non-standard methods or use of custom adapters.
    4. Non-Illumina barcoding methods are used. Barcodes placed within the insert with no redundancy are especially prone to read errors and can compromise reaction efficiency during the preparation procedure.
    5. Low diversity libraries.

    Projects are billed in these situations, even with poor yields or failed results. If it is determined that a failed run was caused by instrument malfunction or a chemistry issue, the sequencing will be repeated at no charge.

Data Retention - Disk storage used by the Genomics Core is provided by Research Support Computing within the Division of IT. Although it is impractical to store all data indefinitely, the intention of the Genomics Technology Core is to maintain relevant data for a necessary period of time to enable its review and analysis. The Genomics Technology Core will retain data generated from Illumina instruments according to the following schedule.

  • All run meta data will be stored for a period of 6 months from the completion date of a run for purposes of evaluating and troubleshooting.
  • At 3 months from completion of the run, Genomics Core staff will delete raw data files (.bcl and .cbcl) and trimmed FASTQ files.
  • Untrimmed FASTQ files will be maintained for 6 months after completion of run.
  • Arrangements can also be made to transfer data to alternative University storage resources by contacting Research Support Computing (RCSS@missouri.edu).

Researchers are strongly encouraged to download and review data as soon as they receive their data link.

Billing

  • University of Missouri System Researchers - All projects are initiated by contacting the Genomics Technolgy Core (mugenomicscore@missouri.edu) and requesting a project authorization form which defines the scope of work and project cost. An account code (MO code) must be provided at the time of the project request for billing of services. Services performed are invoiced monthly over the duration of a project.

  • U.S. Academic Institution/U.S. Government Agency Researcher - All projects are initiated by contacting the Genomics Technology Core (mugenomicscore@missouri.edu) and requesting a formal quote which defines the scope of work and project cost. A copy of a purchase order must be submitted to the Genomics Core Facility on accounts payable letterhead prior to services being performed. Services performed are invoiced monthly over the duration of a project.

  • U.S. For-Profit Clients - All projects are initiated by contacting the Genomics Technology Core (mugenomicscore@missouri.edu) and requesting a formal quote which defines the scope of work and project cost. A copy of a purchase order must be submitted to the Genomics Technology Core on accounts payable letterhead prior to services being performed. The following payment plan will be required; 50% of total project cost at the time of sample submission, 40% of total project costs when samples are ready to load to the sequencer and 10% with the presentation of the sequencing data.

  • International Clients - All projects are initiated by contacting the Genomics Technology Core (mugenomicscore@missouri.edu) and requesting a formal quote which defines the scope of work and project cost. A copy of a purchase order must be submitted to the Genomics Core Facility on accounts payable letterhead prior to services being performed. Full payment for a project must be received with sample submission.