The NARG was the first ABRF group to focus its efforts on technologies
centered around nucleic acids. The group has performed several studies
investigating the capabilities of participant laboratories for
synthesis and sequencing of DNA (1,2,3,4). Last year's study focused
on surveying DNA synthesis core facilities to update information and to
study trends due to the advancements in both chemistry and technology
as well as the increase in readily available oligonucleotides by
competitive commercial sources. The results of the survey were
presented at ABRF 1999: "Bioinformatics and Biomolecular Technologies:
Linking Genomes, Proteomes, and Biochemistry" and recently submitted to
the Journal of Biomolecular Techniques.
The current study will focus on the synthesis and analysis of
"boutique" oligos, or oligos with modified bases such as biotin or
fluoresent dyes. The study will initially be done internally by NARG
members and then possibly expanded to the ABRF membership.
The NARG would like to recruit new members with interests and
experience in related areas. ABRF members are also encouraged to
nominate candidates.
Please send a CV or biography to the following address:
Martha Gunthorpe
Howard Hughes Medical Institute/UCSF
533 Parnassus Avenue at 3rd Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94143-0793
FAX (415)502-2444
marthag@itsa.ucsf.edu
References:
1. Pon, RT, GA Buck, RL Niece, M Robertson, AJ Smith, and E. Spicer.
1994. A survey of nucleic acid services in core laboratories.
BioTechniques 17: 526-534.
2. Naeve, CW, GA Buck, RL Niece, RT Pon, M Robertson, and AJ Smith.
1995. Accuracy of automated DNA sequencing: a multi-laboratory
comparison of sequencing results. BioTechniques 19: 448-453.
3. Pon, RT, GA Buck, KM Hager, CW Naeve, RL Niece, M Robertson, and AJ
Smith. 1996. Multi-facility survey of oligonucleotide synthesis and
an examination of the performance of unpurified primers in automated
DNA sequencing. BioTechniques 21: 680-685.
4. Buck, GA, JW Fox, M Gunthorpe, KM Hager, CW Naeve, RT Pon, PS
Adams, and J Rush. 1999. Design strategies and performance of custom
DNA sequencing primers. BioTechniques 27 (3): 528-536.