CCG Lab Page

The CCG's sequencing lab is used for all post-PCR processing of DNA samples. This lab is outfitted with all the equipment needed for standard DNA sequencing (inlcuding ten Bio-Rad thermal cyclers, one Bio-Rad qPCR machine, and an ABI3130xl Genetic Analyzer). This lab is also outiftted with equipment needed for library preparation for next-generation sequencing (including a 2100 Bioanalyzer, Qubit 2.0 fluorometer, Blue Pippin automated size-selection platform, and an Illumina MiSeq next-generation sequencer).

The Freezer Room houses the Academy's frozen tissue collection and the CCG's DNA CryoCollection. It includes ten -20 degree and ten -80 degree freezers. In addition, the room now includes five Taylor Wharton 40K liquid nitrogen (LN2) storage freezers. Importantly, this room is outfitted with an emergency back-up power system to keep freezers running during a power outage.

Students and staff from all research departments of the Academy are working on interesting projects in the CCG lab. Many projects focus on investigating historical relationships between species using standard phylogenetic approaches, including the application of both molecular and morphological data to identify and describe new species. In addition we have some current projects that focus on the population level, using genetic data to apply towards the conservation of species. Project methods vary and include standard Sanger sequencing, microsatellite genotyping, transcriptome sequencing, RADseq, sequence capture and whole genome sequencing. Please visit the CCG's Projects Page to gain more information on individual research projects.

Personnel working in our lab include Academy curators, research associates, post-docs, graduate students, technicians, interns and volunteers from all of the Academy's research departments. The Director of the CCG is Brian Simison and the Laboratory and Collections Manager is Athena Lam. The operation of the lab is also greatly enhanced by the work of our superpowered research assistant, Boni Cruz.