RE: DNASeq Internal Standards

Miller, Mark J. (millerm@dc37a.nci.nih.gov)
Mon, 26 Jul 1999 09:20:45 -0400

I've found a way that usually finesses this problem. When someone comes to me
with a sequence that failed, the first thing I say is, "Well maybe we screwed
up. Let's see." Frequently we did make a mistake and that's usually easy to
fix. We always run a control. True it's not their template and primer, but it's
the best we can do. They usually understand that. I go over their experimental
design and, if I can't see an error, I suggest controls they can do to find
where the problem is. I ask my users to run positive controls themselves.

On those occasions when I get a horse's ass who insists we're incompetent, I
refund their charges and give them a list of local comercial vendors who will
charge them 3X what we do.

Mark J. Miller, Ph.D.
Manager, DNA Sequencing MiniCore
NIH/NCI/DBS
Bldg 37, Rm 3C28, MSC 4255
Bethesda, MD 20892-4255

mark@helix.nih.gov
301-496-5688 x226

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Lyons
Sent: Friday, July 23, 1999 3:42 PM
To: Recipients of ABRF List
Subject: Re: DNASeq Internal Standards

James Farmar wrote:
... Core facilities are too easy
a target for blame.

We all know what research is like: you work day and night, setting
up a complicated experiment - and it fails. You're SURE the sample
was fine, the primer worked before, the experimental design was
impeccable. "I'll bet that damn Core screwed up."

You'll show them a standard that proves you can sequence a PCR
product, but it's not their primer and not their DNA. They'll
frankly still be suspicious that your technician screwed up.