To all investigators involved in DNA sequencing:
The ABRF DNA SEQUENCE RESEARCH COMMITTEE 1998 STUDY will reopen for new
sequencing data submissions from April 15 to May 15, 1998. During this
period, we ask again that you submit chromatogram (electropherogram)
analysis files of the results of sequencing standard pGEM template using the
M13 (-20) Forward primer with any chemistry, run condition, and machine
type. Details of how to submit samples in this phase of the study will be
posted soon.
We are reopening this study to allow for analysis of more results with:
(1) current "standard" sequencing techniques, and (2) newly developed
techniques, such as porous combs, ABI 377 96-well upgrades, Amersham new
dyes, and new instruments such as the Molecular Dynamics MegaBACE and the
GeneSys Technologies GTI-9600 system. We encourage investigators that have
already submitted results to the study to send us additional or more recent
results. The newly collected data will be pooled with previously submitted
data. An analysis of the results from this study will be presented this
year at the Tenth International Genome Sequencing and Analysis Conference,
September 17-20, in Miami, FL.
The first goal of this study is to examine the sequencing results that
are being obtained in most labs with both standard and experimental
techniques. One aim of this part of the study is to create a web site for
comparing a standard template sequenced under various protocols. This web
site will be an on-line repository of sequence results and the conditions
used to generate them. This resource will allow researchers to compare,
anonymously, the quality of their sequence data with that of colleagues. In
addition, this data could be valuable in making crucial decisions regarding
new chemistries and equipment upgrades.
The second goal of this study is a general survey to "take the pulse"
of the DNA sequencing world. The aim of this part of the study is to
determine the answer to questions such as what types of machines and
chemistries are being used and what are the range of current charges for
facility services and research time.
The preliminary results from this study were presented last month at
the ABRF'98 meeting in San Diego (reference below) and will soon be posted
on the Association for Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) web page:
Adams, P.S., Dolejsi, M.K., Grills, G., Hardin, S., McMinimy D., Morrison,
P. and Rush, J. (1998) 1998 ABRF DNA Sequence Research Committee Study:
Assessing the Current State of the Art in DNA Sequencing and Creating a
Quality Control Resource. ABRF '98: From Genomes to Function: Technical
Challenges of the Post-Genome Era: An International Symposium Sponsored by
the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities, pg. 32 (abstract).
We appreciate your past and future participation in this study.
The ABRF DNA Sequencing Research Committee:
Pamela Scott Adams, Adirondack Biomedical Research Institute, Lake Placid, NY
Duane Bartley, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (ad hoc)
Mary Kay Dolejsi, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
George Grills, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY (chair)
Karl Hager, Yale University, New Haven, CT (ad hoc)
Susan Hardin, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Doug McMinimy, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Paul Morrison, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (ad hoc)
John Rush, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston,
MA (ad hoc)
Theodore Thannhauser, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Please direct questions about participation in this study
to George Grills at grills at aecom.yu.edu
