Molecular Resource Center (MRC)

Mission

The MRC Core’s mission is to provide scientists with access to
the latest molecular technologies for exploring basic biological
mechanisms and the molecular basis of human disease

Introduction

The Molecular Resource Center (MRC) Core, established in 1985, is a Tennessee Higher
Education Commission (THEC) Center of Excellence at the University of Tennessee Health
Science Center (UTHSC). In order to accomplish its mission, the MRC invests in both state
of the art equipment and trained personnel. The MRC houses a full range of equipment
that facilitates molecular, genetic, and biochemical studies at the sub-cellular and systems
biology levels. In addition to providing technical services, MRC personnel assist and
instruct investigators in applying specialized tools of modern molecular biology to basic
and clinical research. The MRC’s services include sequencing at both the single fragment
and whole genome/transcriptome (next-generation sequencing, NGS) levels along with
offering Affymetrix and Illumina microarrays. Equipment, reagents, and training for realtime
PCR and automated isolation of nucleic acids are also provided.

Overview of Services

• Nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) isolation (Qiagen QIAcube)
• Nucleic acid quality analysis (quantification and quality determination)
• Sanger sequencing (Plasmids, Fragments & PCR products)
• Next-generation sequencing (ChIP, targeted or whole genome or exome, & microbiome)
• Gene Expression Analysis (Affymetrix microarrays, total RNA and miRNA)
• Gene Expression Analysis (RNA-Seq)
• Gene Expression Analysis (qRT-PCR & digital PCR)
• Genotyping (Capillary Electrophoresis for STR & SNP analyses)
• Genotyping (Illumina Microarrays)
• Genotyping (qPCR & copy number analysis by digital PCR)
• Genotyping (Next-generation sequencing- targeted & exomes)
• Methylation analysis (Illumina microarrays & Sanger sequencing)
• Equipment for client use -Robotic Liquid Handler, Multimode Plate Reader, Fluorescence Microscope

Equipment and Software
Qiacube Robot (Qiagen RNA/DNA isolation) • Agilent Bioanalyzers (2) • Nanodrop 1000 and 8000 Spectrophotometers • Applied Biosystems 3130XL Sequencer • Ion Torrent PGM Sequencer • Ion Torrent Proton Sequencers (2) • Illumina NextSeq 500 • Affymetrix GeneChip System • Illumina iScan System • Roche LightCycler 480 Systems (2) • Fluidigm Biomark • Eppendorf epMotion 5075 Liquid Handling Robot • Spectramax m2e multimode plate reader • Zeiss Axiophot Microscope • Hamilton STARlet robot for automated NGS library preparation

Leadership

Tiffany Seagrove, Ph.D. | Executive Director

William Taylor, Ph.D. | Core Director

Tom Cunningham | Assistant Director

Location and hours of operation

Links and Resources

1. Molecular Resource Center (MRC)
2. Sequencing & Genotyping
3. Affymetrix Microarray
4. Next Generation Sequencing
5. Illumina iScan Microarray
6. Quantitative Real-time PCR
7. Qiagen Qiacube

Contacts