Mandate
The Atlantic Research Centre for Agricultural Genomics (ARCAG) was established to provide basic services to laboratories working in the Genomics/Molecular Genetics research area at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

Status
ARCAG is a work in progress. Ultimately, the facility will offer a seamless pipeline for sample analysis beginning with the extraction of nucleic acids and ending with the analysis of samples by a variety of methods using automated, leading edge instrumentation. In addition, all samples will be tracked by a Laboratory Information Monitoring Systems (LIMS), as they move through the facility.

ARCAG currently provides DNA sequencing and genotyping service based on an automated Applied Biosystems 3130 DNA analyzer and a liquid handlings robot. In addition, A Rotor-Gene 6500 HRM real time PCR machine, regular MJ-Research PCR machines, as well as a Nanodrop spectrophotometer are available for common use.

Major funding for ARCAG is provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI; www.innovation.ca), the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust (www.gov.ns.ca.), and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (nsac.ca.)

Services
Many of the procedures that ARCAG carries out for its clients are similar to the analysis methods used by laboratories working in the human genomics and forensics sectors, such as parentage testing and DNA profiling.

Services available include:

DNA sequencing

Automated DNA/RNA extraction

 

SNP interrogation by 'Single Base Extension'

Microsatellite analysis

Additional services available in 2009:

 

Genotyping on ABI 7900HT platform

LIMS sample tracking

Contact
To learn more about ARCAG contact Tanya Muggeridge at:
(902) 896-2435 or email tmuggeridge@nsac.ca

 

	Liquid handling robot
	DNA sequencer
	UVP