The primary goal of the Department of Medicine Microbiome Core is to facilitate microbiome studies for researchers at CUMC. The facility is a centralized and cost-effective resource for processing and storing biological specimens, and sequencing and analysis of microbial communities for various research studies, including basic science, clinical, translational, and epidemiological projects.
We provide consultation on all aspects of study design and sample collection. The core receives, processes, and stores coded samples as needed. We provide DNA and RNA extraction and prepare and sequence samples with the Illumina Miseq platform. We also perform bioinformatics analyses on sequencing data. As a centralized core, we have higher sample volumes, which enables more cost-effective sequencing for investigators.
The core also fosters informal interactions of investigators from varied research backgrounds and discussions regarding best practices and novel techniques in order to enhance microbiome studies at CUMC. Through the Microbiome Working Group, we host informal Microbiome Core Data Club meetings, as well as the Microbiome Seminar Series featuring invited internal and external speakers.