The Genome Center Facility and the Department of Molecular Biology (Detlef Weigel) introduced next-generation DNA sequencing to our institute as early as 2007. By now, sequencing-based approaches are crucial for the large majority of our research groups. These include de novo genome assemblies, variant calling, metagenomics, chromatin analysis, full-length and short read transcriptomics, small RNA analysis and single-cell applications from organisms as diverse as vertebrates, insects, worms, plants, brown algae, fungi, ciliates and microbes.

The Genome Center hosts a Sequel II instrument from Pacific Biosciences for high-fidelity single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing of DNA fragments with many thousand nucleotides in length. The facility also operates a HiSeq 3000 platform from Illumina routinely generating paired-end short-read data (2 x 150 nucleotides) from small DNA fragments in the order of 800 gigabases per run. Finally, an Illumina MiSeq sequencer generates variable read lengths for small-scale projects.

The Genome Center assures fast, reliable and high-quality sequencing services and supports the development of new application protocols. The facility trains internal and external scientists in preparing libraries, providing lab-space and assistance with technical equipment for library preparation and quality control.

Publications

• Sequel II, Pacific Biosciences
• HiSeq 3000 and cBot, Illumina
• MiSeq, Illumina
• Chromium, 10x Genomics
• Femto Pulse, Agilent Technologies
• Bioanalyzer 2100, Agilent Technologies
• Sage ELF, Sage Science
• BluePippin, Sage Science
• CHEF-DR III, BioRad
• Megaruptor 2, Diagenode
• Covaris S2, KBiosciences
• Qubit 2.0 Fluorimeter, Invitrogen
• Viaflo 96, Integra