UI and ISU establish shared DNA sequencing instr...( AMES and IOWA CITY Iowa The Univers...)

AMES and IOWA CITY, Iowa The University of Iowa and Iowa State University are pooling their resources to significantly enhance both institutions' genetic research capabilities.

The two institutions have each purchased a massively parallel DNA sequencer an instrument capable of deciphering DNA sequences at the rate of millions to billions of bases in a single run. The two machines each with unique advantages will be available on a fee-for-service basis to researchers at both universities and to other institutions and private companies. Together, the two instruments represent the state-of-the-art in DNA sequencing technology.

The initiative was spearheaded by Michael Apicella, M.D., professor and head of microbiology, and senior associate dean for scientific affairs, in the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine; Stephen Howell, Ph.D., professor of genetics, development and cell biology, and director of the Plant Sciences Institute at Iowa State; Paul McCray, M.D., the Roy J. Carver Chair in Pulmonary Research and UI professor of pediatrics; and Patrick Schnable, Ph.D., professor of agronomy and genetics, development and cell biology and associate director of the Plant Sciences Institute at Iowa State.

"The range of capabilities represented by these new instruments could not have been developed by the two institutions working alone," Howell noted. "The cooperative spirit generated through this interaction will help Iowa scientists stay at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field, and help us maintain our leadership in areas ranging from the medical to agricultural sciences."

"These machines can sequence extensive tracts of DNA to look for genetic differences associated with human diseases," said Apicella. "I can see this technology having a significant impact in the clinical realm in the next four to five years.

"These instruments also make us competitive for major federal funding related to new
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