The Genetic Markers Service employs high-throughput technology to serve City of Hope investigators’ genetic research needs, providing access to sophisticated equipment and broad-based expertise in the field.

Currently, we offer STR (short tandem repeat/microsatellite) genotyping, SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) genotyping, quantitative DNA methylation analysis, and quantitative RNA analysis.

Several STR genotyping options are available. You can request a full genome screen with a set of markers spaced more or less equally along all the chromosomes in the genome. Options include the ABI PRISM 5 or 10cM mapping panels or the Marshfield mapping panels. Alternatively, you can submit your own markers for the core to run. All genotype data generated at the core undergoes a rigorous quality control process. The data are released to the researcher in a standardized file format.

Capacity for SNP genotyping can run from the small-scale analysis of a few hundred SNPs to large projects with over 10,000 SNPs. We provide options for investigators that take into account both the number of patient samples to be genotyped and the number of desired SNPs to be analyzed. Small scale (one or two) SNPs can be assayed using Applied Biosystems (ABI) based capillary electrophoresis and the ABI SNaPShot primer extension chemistry, while higher-throughput experiments typically employ the Sequenom MassARRAY system.