Next Generation Sequencing

The high throughput sequencing unit provides highly parallel DNA sequencing service based on the Illumina Genome Analyzer IIx and the Roche/454 Genome Sequencer FLX Titanium technology. These technologies coined “next generation sequencing” enable the generation of hundreds of thousands to millions of sequences in a single run.

Expression Profiling

The DKFZ Microarray Core Facility provide access to full service of state-of-the-art molecular profiling based on Illumina technology for members of DKFZ, NCT and their collaborators

miRNA Profiling

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved, small, noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression at the level of translation in a variety of eukaryotic organisms. Although the first miRNA was described in 1993, but only recently the breadth and diversity of this gene class been uncovered. Vertebrate genomes encode as many as 1000 unique miRNAs, which are predicted to regulate expression of at least 30% of genes.

Methylation Analysis

Epigenetics describes the study of heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in the nuclear DNA sequence. In addition to RNA-associated silencing and histone modification, a major epigenetic mechanism in higher eukaryotes is DNA methylation.

Genotyping/CNV

Genotyping provides a measurement of the genetic variation between members of a species. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are the most common type of genetic variation. A SNP is a single base pair mutation at a specific locus, usually consisting of two alleles.