Dear Fellow DNA Sequencers:=20
Please note that the ABRF DNA Sequencing Research Committee 1999 Standard=
and
Difficult Template Study is again open for sample submissions. The study=
has
two parts. The first part involves study of DNA sequence results with a
standard pGEM template. Information on how to submit data for this Stand=
ard
Template Study is posted at http://mbcf.dfci.harvard.edu/dsrc.html. The =
second
part of the study involves the sequencing of two challenging templates.
Instructions on how to request samples and submit data can be found at th=
e
Difficult Template Study web site at http://brcweb.bio.cornell.edu/dsrc99=
. =20
A preliminary report of the results of data submitted so far was presente=
d at
the ABRF=9299 meeting in March of 1999 and will be posted on the web soon=
. New
data submitted through June 1, 1999 will be presented at the 11th
International Genome Sequencing and Analysis Conference this September. =20
The overall goal of this study is to analyze the effect of different sequ=
encing
methods, chemistries, and instrumentation on the quality of sequencing
results. Sequence data are submitted anonymously by ftp or http and deta=
ils of
the sequencing conditions are collected on web based survey forms. Data =
is
posted on a web site in a format that can be used as a benchmark for
sequencing. The results of this study may be used (1) to anonymously ev=
aluate
the quality of sequencing results relative to that achieved in other
laboratories (quality control); (2) to systematically evaluate different
instruments, chemistries and protocols when considering either equipment
purchases or modifications to standard operating procedures (decision mak=
ing);
and (3) to determine the causes and solutions to technical problems (trou=
ble
shooting).
Our aim is to analyze sequencing results obtained both with the standard
techniques used in DNA sequencing laboratories and with new technologies =
(such
as porous combs, 96-well upgrades, new dyes, and high throughput
capillary-based instruments). We encourage submissions of data from
instrumentation that have not been well represented in our past studies,
including low throughput capillary-based instruments. We encourage
investigators that have submitted results to the 1998 and the preliminary=
1999
study to send additional and more recent results to the current 1999 stud=
y.=20
Moreover, we encourage investigators that have not submitted data to
participate in the 1999 study. Please keep in mind that this is a survey
study, not a contest. A typical run or a poor run can provide as valuabl=
e
information as your best run. We hope to receive results from the oldest
machines to the newest, from beginners to experts. This is an opportunit=
y for
self-evaluation and to share your successful techniques with others.
Please note that the results from last year=92s study are available at
http://www.abrf.org/ABRF/ResearchCommittees/dsrcreports/abrfdna2/dsrc98.h=
tm.
Thanks for participating in this ongoing study. Your participation will =
help
us define the "art" of DNA sequencing in 1999.
- The ABRF DNA Sequencing Research Committee
Theodore Thannhauser, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (chair)
Pamela Scott Adams, Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, NY
Duane Bartley, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (ad hoc)=20
Mary Kay Dolejsi, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
George Grills, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY=20
Susan Hardin, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Amy Lambert, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Kathryn Lilley, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK (ad hoc)
Paul Morrison, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (ad hoc)
Ron Niece, Research Resources & Technologies, Irvine, CA (ad hoc)
Margaret Robertson, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
------------------------------------------------------------------=20
Please direct questions about participation in this study=20
to Ted Thannhauser at tt34@cornell.edu=20
Theodore W. Thannhauser, Ph.D.
Director, BioResource Center
Rm. 149 Biotechnology Building
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York 14853-2703
Phone: (607) 254-4850
FAX: (607) 254-4847
Email: tt34@cornell.edu