Due to the rapidly expanding demand for NGS and the evolution of higher throughput sequencing technologies, CGR has also invested in automation.

CGR has implemented automated protocols using a range of liquid handling robotic systems for library construction and enrichment on all sequencing platforms, enabling efficient, cost-saving assay miniaturization and improved precision and accuracy.

We are currently using the following platforms:

• TTP Labtech Mosquito
• Formulatrix Mantis
• Opentrons OT-2
• Fluidigm access array

The CGR portfolio of platforms and technologies enable solutions to be tailored according to individual project requirements. As each project has its own goals and requirements, we can guide you to choose the most suitable platform and protocol for your individual needs. Will we discuss these options with you at the outset and provide you with the latest sample requirements and technical information.

The development of NGS technologies enabled genome-scale sequencing projects to be undertaken at a fraction of the time and cost of previous technologies. This sequencing revolution has unlocked the potential for new lines of research whilst revitalising existing projects. NGS technologies still represent a substantial investment to individual labs and require a great deal of technical and bioinformatic expertise. As a dedicated Centre offering all major platforms, the CGR enables researchers to access the very latest technologies as well as established platforms. We facilitate best practices to ensure individual clients receive the maximum return on their investment. At the CGR we provide access to all major sequencing platforms, offering a wide range of applications, with complementary advice, informatics and analytical processing of data. The CGR’s status as a reference site often facilitates access to the latest technologies prior to general release. ‌

The CGR offers access to technologies from:

• Illumina
• Pacific Biosciences
• 10x Genomics
• Agilent
• Roche

The CGR is a certified service provider for Illumina and PacBio platforms.

The CGR informatics team have many years of expertise in this field and can assist collaborators with their projects, from offering guidance on experimental design through to performing complete analyses.

Tailored bioinformatics support which covers genome and transcriptome assembly, annotation, variant detection, epigenetics (base modification), differential gene expression analysis, microbial community taxonomic profiling (16S and 18S rRNA) and functional metagenomics and metatranscriptomics.

We provide expertise in a broad range of informatic analyses on data from a multitude of sequencing platforms, including:

• De novo genome and transcriptome assembly, with subsequent gene prediction and annotation.
• Detection of variants from genomic data, including SNPs, insertions/deletions, somatic variants, copy number variants and large structural variants.
• Differential gene/transcript expression analyses with subsequent mapping of results to functional pathways (KEGG and GO)
• Metagenomics/metatranscriptomics analysis (whole genome/transcriptome), to determine taxonomic and/or functional composition of prokaryotic and viral populations
• Metagenetics (e.g. 16S amplicon analysis) to taxonomically profile samples and detect differences in diversity resulting from changes in experimental conditions
• Epigenetics, to detect methylated/modified bases and motifs, and identify differential methylation between samples.
• ChIP-seq analysis, including the detection of differences between samples groups
• Our analysts can provide bespoke analyses and are happy to discuss your project requirements.

All data sequenced with the CGR undergo quality assessment to ensure that everything looks ok with your data. We will process sequences to remove any low quality reads and remove adapter sequences so it is ready for downstream processing whether by the collaborator or by us. Once they are ready, all sequence data and results are available for download from a secure web link, and stored on our servers for at least 6 months.

If you are unfamiliar with handling NGS data, it can be difficult to know what informatic support may be required. We encourage our clients to discuss their potential requirements with us at the outset but we can also provide additional analyses after a project has been completed. Please contact us if you would like to discuss data analysis options.

The team run workshops through the year to train researchers in various informatic techniques: Ideal for if you would like to prepare to analyse your own data, or simply to gain a better understanding of the field. Also, we are always happy to discuss and explain the analyses we carry out for you, both before, during and after the project.

The Centre for Genomic research is a partner of the Microbiome Innovation centre, which provides knowledge, expertise, and platforms to support the researchers to unlock the microbiome potential.

A fundamental paradigm shift in our understanding of microorganisms is that eukaryotes are meta-organisms and must be considered together with their microbiota as an inseparable functional unit. 

Understanding the complex relationships among microbiomes across diverse hosts and habitats and their associations with the health of humans, animals, and plants, unfolds the potential for innovative and holistic approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and intervention within the context of the One Health concept. 

The CGR provides the following services to assess the microbial potential (learning about available microbiota in the given habitat) and the metabolic potential (deciphering available genetic material)

• Amplicon Sequencing
• Metagenomic Sequencing
• Metatranscriptomic Sequencing
• Informatics

For more than two decades, The Centre has supported NERC funded researchers. The ongoing partnership with NERC is the foundation for the collaboration with the NERC Environmental Omics Facility launched in October 2020. The NEOF will enable environmental researchers in the UK to access the full range of omics supporting technology. The University of Liverpool provides expertise and technology in genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, working in partnership with the University of Sheffield, which offers training within a visitor facility.

NEOF provides funding opportunities and training courses.

Contact the NEOF team to discuss your project and access the facility