(16k)The Survey Committee is putting the finishing touches on a full publication of the results of the 1992 Survey, and how it compares to similar data from previous years (see references #l and 9 on page 8 of this newsletter for a complete description of these previous studies). An excerpt from one portion of the manuscript appears below.
Of particular concern to users of core facilities are the average charges for a
variety of services. We have data on charges for services, which reflect the
mean actual charges made to users, and the mean total cost to the facilities
for performing these services (reflecting any subsidies not passed on to users
in their charges).(16k)
Calculated charges for synthesis of 25-mer oligodeoxynucleotides and peptides, for synthesis of a 15-mer oligoribonucleotide, and for 25 cycles of protein sequencing are given in the table that follows. These charges plus that for one run of amino acid analysis and DNA sequencing are given, together with the costs for these services corrected for any subsidy that the facility received.
These data have been compared with available data from the 19~9 and 1987 surveys. The charge for synthesis of a 25-mer peptide and 25 cycles of protein sequencing have declined by 36% and 2X% respectively since 1987 due primarily to the increasing extent of subsidization of these services. Amino acid analysis charges have fluctuated slightly over the last 5 years. Oligo synthesis charges have declined strikingly with each survey, with 1992 charges being 47% and 74% of 1987 and 1989 charges, respectively.
For costs corrected for the amount of subsidy received by each facility, protein sequencing and peptide synthesis costs in 1992 did not significantly differ from 1987 or 19~9 costs. Amino acid analysis costs fluctuated, but 1992 and 1987 corrected costs were identical. Oligonucleotide synthesis costs corrected for subsidy declined by 2~% in 1992, after no significant change between 1989 and 1987.
Of the most commonly provided services, when corrected for subsidy, the most expensive service remained peptide synthesis, followed by protein sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, then amino acid analysis and DNA sequencing.
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