The Stem Cell Genomics Project http://www.ottawagenomecenter.ca/projects/stemcellgenomics
The goal of the Stem Cell Genomics Project (SCGP) is the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the formation, self-renewal, and differentiation of stem cells.
This project has successfully undertaken the analysis of over
1,000 stem cell, progenitor and differentiated derivative preparations from human and mouse, embryonic and adult stem cells. High-throughput techniques such as Affymetrix
GeneChip, SAGE, and LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis has provided tremendous insight into the factors which modulate stem cell function.
Next Generation Sequencing http://www.ottawagenomecenter.ca/services/ngs
Next Generation Sequencing at StemCore is performed by use of the the Illumina GAIIx. This technology provides access to massively parallelized sequencing for applications such as whole transcriptome analysis, Genomic DNA sequencing,
ChIP-Seq, small RNA -Seq and more.
StemBase Microarray http://www.ottawagenomecenter.ca/projects/stembase
StemBase is the database of the Stem Cell Genomics Project.
This publicly accessible database is currently the largest repository specifically dedicated to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of microarray, SAGE, and proteomics data pertaining to stem cells. Ongoing development of algorithms and tools that enable the processing and viewing of the high-throughput data that is being generated within our laboratories is constantly helping to upgrade the functionality of our database.
Transcriptional Regulation in Embryonic Stem http://www.ottawagenomecenter.ca/services/microarrays
This facility provides services for all currently Affymetrix supported GeneChip products. In addition to provision of these services to the academic community, the commercial sector is also supported via our designation as an Affymetrix
Preferred Service Provider.
Cells
Characterization of the transcriptional regulatory networks which modulate gene function and regulate cell fate transitions represents the next crucial step in genomics research. Our aims are to characterize the protein components of transcriptional complexes, to identify transcription factor binding sites, and thereby to identify targets genes that are activated, repressed, or silenced during lineage specific differentiation. Computational analyses and systems biology approaches will be applied to generate models that are capable of describing the impact of these networks upon genomic organization, cell cycle regulation, and gene expression.
The implications of this research are immense, with the promise of mechanistic insight into the role of transcriptional regulation in normal human development and consequences of its deregulation, which leads to disease.
The knowledge to be gained as a result of this effort will set the stage for a new paradigm in our understanding of human disease and healthcare and will profoundly impact Canada’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
FACS http://www.ottawagenomecenter.ca/services/flowcytometry
Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting is currently performed on the state of the art DakoCytomation MoFlo Legacy. This instrument performs a crucial role in the isolation of rare stem cells from heterogeneous populations. For more information regarding services provided, booking times, and upcoming training seminars please refer to the website.
DNA Sequencing http://www.ottawagenomecenter.ca/services/sequencing
The Applied Biosystems 3730 DNA Analyzer provides rapid and accurate high-throughput sequencing. Combined with the
Qiagen Biorobot 8000, this instrumentation has enabled automated processing of SAGE and cDNA libraries.
Applications supported include DNA Sequencing,
Genotyping, and DNAse I Footprinting.
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Hurst, K., Perez-Iratxeta, C., Lau, R., Niu, M. Y. 2009.
The canonical NF-kappaB pathway is required for formation of luminal mammary neoplasias and is
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Campbell, P. A., Perez-Iratxeta, C., Andrade-Navarro, M.
A., Rudnicki, M. A. 2007. Oct4 targets regulatory
nodes to modulate stem cell function. PLoS ONE
2(6): e553.
Kuang, S., Karoda, K., Le Grand, F., Rudnicki, M. A.
2007. Asymetric self-renewal and commitment of
satellite stem cells in muscle. Cell 129: 999-1010.
Hailesellasse, S. K., Porter, C. J., Palidwor, G., Perez-
Iratxeta, C., Muro, E. M., Campbell, P. A., Rudnicki, M.
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Pearl A. Campbell
Director, StemCore Laboratories pcampbell@ohri.ca
Kathy Sheikheleslamy
Lab Manager, StemCore Laboratories ksheikheleslamy@ohri.ca
William A. Read
Senior Project Manager, Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research wread@ohri.ca
Melanie Genereaux
Administrative Assistant, StemCore Laboratories mgenereaux@ohri.ca
FUNDING FOR STEMCORE HAS BEEN PROVIDED
BY:
Exploring the Potential of Stem Cells
Helping Humanity
StemCore Laboratories, an Ontario Genomics
Innovation Centre, and a Platform Affiliate of the Ontario Genomics Institute, is a highthroughput genomics facility within the
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. StemCore provides a world-class technology infrastructure, capable of facilitating largescale scientific research and biotechnology projects.
At StemCore we believe in a revolutionary concept; that stem cell dysfunction lies at the very centre of today’s most devastating illnesses such as cancer, type I diabetes, cardiac, Parkinson’s, Muscular Dystrophy, and
Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, the use of stem cells for regenerative therapy presents the opportunity to transform medical practice and pharmaceutical intervention for these diseases.
In order to harness the full potential of stem cells however, basic research is required to understand the mechanisms whereby the two hallmark features of stem cells, self-renewal and differentiation, are accomplished. To that end, StemCore has been instrumental in the conduct of several major projects including
The Stem Cell Genomics Project; StemBase; and Transcriptional Regulation in Embryonic
Stem Cells. Throughout the conduct of these projects it is our goal to use the tools of highthroughput genomics in an integrated systems approach to more fully understand the underlying mechanisms of human disease.