Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis

Our medium throughput Sanger sequencing service offers quality expertise, advice and outcomes at competitive prices. Our flexible service modules allow you to choose the exact level of service your project requires. As part of Garvan’s Molecular Genetics Core Facility, we support researchers within the Research Precinct, as well as external clients.

We offer six distinct capillary sequencing and fragment separation services, along with post-sequencing services, all of which are facilitated through our Sample Submission Portal: 

• Premix PCR product or plasmid + primer and SEQ 

• Plasmid mix and SEQ 

• PCR mix and SEQ 

• PCR setup and SEQ 

• PCR design and SEQ 

• Fragment separation with or without size standard 

• Post-sequencing services. 

Premix PCR product or plasmid + primer and SEQ

This is our fastest and most economic service. Submit your premixed sample (PCR product or plasmid mixed with 3.2 pmol of primer) and receive the results within 24 hours. Please see our Sample Submission Guidelines for detailed guidance on preparing and submitting your sample.

Plasmid mix and SEQ

Submit your plasmid DNA and nominate a primer from the list available in our Sample Submission Guidelines, or send us your primer.  

We will:   

1. Quantify the plasmid DNA and dilute it to the right concentration 
2. Dilute the primer to 3.2 pmol 
3. Mix the primer with the plasmid DNA 
4. Perform cycle sequencing and clean-up 
5. Perform capillary separation 
6. Send you the results. 

The turnaround time for this service is 48 hours. 

Alternatively, you can send us the sequence of the primer you want your plasmid DNA sequenced with and we will order it and use it to sequence your samples. The cost of the primer will be charged to your account. Please add four working days to the standard 48-hour processing time for this option. 

PCR mix and SEQ 

Send us the PCR product you are interested in and nominate or send us the primer you want to use for sequencing.

We will: 

1. Measure the concentration of the PCR product 
2. Dilute the primers and mix them with the PCR product at the correct concentration 
3. Perform cycle sequencing and clean-up 
4. Perform capillary separation 
5. Send you the results. 

The turnaround time for this service is between five to seven working days. Please refer to our Sample Submission Guidelines for information about preparing and submitting your sample. 

PCR setup and SEQ

Send us the DNA sequence you are interested in or define the gene or exon you would like to have sequenced and submit your genomic DNA sample to us, as per the information in our Sample Submission Guidelines. 

We will: 

1. Order the primers and perform the PCR 
2. Clean up the PCR product 
3. Measure the concentration of the PCR product 
4. Dilute the primers and mix with the PCR product at the correct concentration 
5. Perform cycle sequencing and clean-up 
6. Perform capillary separation 
7. Send you the results. 

The approximate turnaround time for this service is seven days, including ordering primers.  

PCR design and SEQ

Send us the DNA sequence you are interested in, or define the gene or exon you would like to have sequenced, and submit your genomic DNA sample to us.  

We will: 

1. Look at the gene and design the primers 
2. Order the primers and perform the PCR 
3. Clean up the PCR product 
4. Measure the concentration of the PCR product 
5. Dilute the primers and mix them with the PCR product at the correct concentration 
6. Perform cycle sequencing and clean-up 
7. Perform capillary separation 
8. Send you the results. 

If you have one design and many samples, you may be eligible for a discount. Please contact us to request a quote. We can also extract the DNA for you if you have tissue or blood samples. Please see also our DNA/RNA Extraction Service. 

The approximate turnaround time for this service is seven days, including ordering primers. 

Fragment separation with or without size standard

Our fragment analysis service provides both capillary separation and analysis services for fluorescently labelled DNA fragments. For this service, you will perform the PCR and send us the PCR product for electrophoresis. We can run your premixed samples (samples + size standard) or you can send us your samples and we will add size standard (GS 600 or GS 500 – please specify when you submit your samples) and perform the fragment analysis run.  

Our platform can accommodate up to four different coloured fluorescent dyes: 

• 6-FAM 

• VIC 

• NED 

• PET

This means multiple markers can be amplified in one sample. After the PCRs, the products can be pooled and run in a single capillary. When multiple markers of the same colour are pooled, it is important to ensure that the fragment size range of markers does not overlap.  

The turnaround time for this service is two to three working days. Please refer to our Sample Submission Guidelines for information about preparing and submitting your sample. 

Post-sequencing services

In addition to our capillary sequencing modules, we offer post-sequencing service modules. We analyse your sequencing products for mutations (predictive or confirmatory) and provide a report on our findings.

Garvan's Genetics Core Facility was established in 2004 through support from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF).