The Microarray Core Facility (MAF) of the VU University Medical Center/ Cancer Center Amsterdam is involved in a wide spectrum of (inter-) national cancer research and clinical genetics projects. Despite these two major spearheads, the facility has no limitation as towards subject, sample origin, or sample size of the project. Our service ranges from specimen to final data, including histochemistry, micro array tailored DNA/RNA isolations and data analysis. The facilities' expertise in processing clinical archival material (FFPE) for microarray CGH has a world wide reputation.
VUMC MAF has implemented platforms of Agilent, Nimblegen as well as Affymetrix for array CGH. For platform comparisons see Ylstra et al. (2006) and Coe et al. (2007). The Agilent and NimbleGen platforms have been adapted to allow amplified DNA from archival formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) material with high sensitivity and resolution. The Affymetrix arrays enables SNP analysis on fresh frozen and blood samples as well.
VUMC MAF has implemented the Agilent platform for expression arrays offering a large array of species and low-input RNA protocols.
VUmc MAF is employing the Illumina HiSeq 2000 to offer a wide range of next gen sequencing services. We now support whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing and small RNA sequencing and many other applications will follow. The Illumina MiSeq has been delivered which will enable the VUmc MAF to bring diagnostic applications to a next level in terms of speed and cost effectiveness.
ISO 15189:2007 certificate 111