Genomics Birmingham comprises of a specialist team using the latest genomic technologies to support genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic based research. The service was founded in 2016 and resides within the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. It is housed over three purpose-built laboratories in a fully equipped facility largely funded through the University of Birmingham and the MRC. We provide a trusted service supporting experimental design, as well as sample processing. Projects are focused towards University of Birmingham researchers, but we welcome collaboration with external academics and commercial businesses.

Genomics Birmingham is available to the following groups:

• Current staff and students
• Prospective staff and students
• Academics both internal and external
• Industry professionals

For all enquiries to Genomics Birmingham please use the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Genomic services

• DNA/RNA/Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) library quality assessment
• Sequencing customer generated libraries on the Illumina MiSeq and NextSeq NGS platforms
• NGS library preparation covering a wide range of RNAseq/DNAseq applications including low input and FFPE sample methods
• Epigenetic and genotyping micro-arrays using Illumina Bead Arrays and iScan Technology
• Pyrosequencing on the Qiagen PyroMark Q48 AutoPrep
• Single cell sequencing utilising the 10X Genomics Single Cell platform - DNA, 3’ transcript profiling, V(D)J, ATAC and exome sequencing
• MinION - Oxford Nanopore Technologies.  Long read sequencing for de novo and targeted sequencing, metagenomics and epigenetics
• RT-PCR - ThermoFisher 384 and 96-well qPCR platforms. Training and support provided. Users can then access the equipment at their convenience by booking time via Stratocore
• Project planning, grant application quotes
• Sample processing advice

Equipment access via the Technology Hub

• ThermoFisher/Applied Biosystems 7500 and 7900HT qPCR platforms
• ThermoFisher/Applied Biosystems QS5 384 and QS5 96-well plate qPCR platforms due end of 2018
• Fluidigm BioMark
• Thermofisher Qubit - nucleic acid quantification
• Agilent Bioanalyzer 

1 - Dependence on Myb expression is attenuated in myeloid leukaemia with N-terminal CEBPA mutations. Giacomo Volpe, Pierre Cauchy, David S Walton, Carl Ward, Daniel Blakemore, Rachael Bayley, Mary L Clarke, Luisa Schmidt , Claus Nerlov, Paloma Garcia , Stephanie Dumon, Florian Grebien, Jon Frampton. Life Science Alliance. Published Online: 15 March, 2019. http://doi.org/10.26508/lsa.201800207

2 - Genomic and transcriptomic characterisation of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone. Naser M Ali,  Stefania Niada,  Anna T Brini,  Mark R Morris,  Sathishkumar Kurusamy,  Abdullah Alholle,  David Huen,  Cristina R Antonescu,  Franck Tirode,  Vaiyapuri Sumathi,  Farida Latif. Journal of Pathology. 2019;247:166–176 https://doi.org/10.1002/path.5176

3 - Global long terminal repeat activation participates in establishing the unique gene expression programme of classical Hodgkin lymphoma.  Benjamin Edginton-White, Pierre Cauchy, Salam A. Assi, Sylvia Hartmann, Arthur G. Riggs, Stephan Mathas, Peter N. Cockerill, Constanze Bonifer. Lymphoma. Published online 13 December 2018. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41375-018-0311-x

4 - The Co-operation of RUNX1 with LDB1, CDK9 and BRD4 Drives Transcription Factor Complex Relocation During Haematopoietic Specification. Jane Gilmour, Salam A. Assi, Laura Noailles, Monika Lichtinger, Nadine Obier & Constanze Bonifer. Nature. 2018 July. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-28506-7

5 - C/EBPα overrides epigenetic reprogramming by oncogenic transcription factors in acute myeloid leukemia. Loke J, Chin PS, Keane P, Pickin A, Assi SA, Ptasinska A, Imperato MR, Cockerill PN, Bonifer C.Blood Adv. 2018 Feb 13;2(3):271-284. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2017012781

6 - Whole Genome Methylation Analysis of Nondysplastic Barrett Esophagus that Progresses to Invasive Cancer. Mark P. Dilworth, Tom Nieto, Jo D. Stockton, Celina M. Whalley, Louise Tee,, Jonathan D. James, Fergus Noble, Tim J. Underwood, Michael T. Hallissey, Rahul Hejmadi, Nigel Trudgill, Olga Tucker, Andrew D. Beggs. Annals of Surgery. 2018. January. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000002658

All general enquiries to Genomics Birmingham should be directed to:

Telephone: +44 (0)121 415 8783
Email: mds-sequencing@contacts.bham.ac.uk