Applied Genomics Laboratory
The Applied Genomics Laboratory is a network of high-tech laboratories, affiliated to the Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops. The facilities span across several branches of the Centre and offer all the equipment and skills needed to study the biodiversity of plant genomes, basic and applied genetics and epigenetics, technology transfer and breeding (marker assisted and genomic selection) of cereals and industrial crops.
The facilities in Foggia include equipment for genetic studies of agronomical traits, gene expression and support to plant breeding. There are two workstations for automated DNA extraction and reaction setup, a capillary electrophoresis system with 16 capillaries, Real Time PCR for quantitative analyses and an Illumina MiSeq sequencer. There is also a laboratory for in vitro cultures and genetic engineering with a biolistic delivery system.
The Bologna site is specialized in genetics and genomics of industrial crops. The facilities are equipped for extraction and amplification of nucleic acids from plant tissues, electrophoresis, gel imaging and data analysis. The lab can perform gene expression analysis using Real Time PCR, end point PCR, horizontal and vertical electrophoresis of nucleic acid and proteins and gene cloning. There are also laboratories for in vitro cultures where germplasm collections representing the biodiversity of potato (in Bologna) and Cannabis sativa (in the field branch in Rovigo) are preserved.
In Bergamo, the lab focuses on epigenetics and molecular biology. It includes all the equipment needed for the detection of GMOs in maize and soybean according to the Italian official guidelines. The detection and quantification of heterologous DNA is performed using Real Time PCR, following the method published in the attachment to the Italian Ministerial Decree of the 27th November 2003. The simultaneous amplification of the heterologous DNA (transgene) and of a homologous fragment allows to calculate their ratio and define the level of contamination of the sample. The facilities comprise all the instruments needed for molecular biology experiments (extraction and analysis of nucleic acids and proteins, amplification, cloning, NGS library preparation, etc.). In particular, there are four end-point PCR, two Real Time PCR, centrifuges, fume and laminar flow hoods, electrophoresis chambers, a trans-UV system, a spectrophotometer and several computers for data analysis.
In Vercelli there is all the equipment needed for extraction and analysis of nucleic acids for molecular marker assisted selection. In particular, there are systems for nucleic acid extraction (Tissue Lyser and Qiacube), quantification (spectrophotometer and Qubit), amplification (end-point and Real Time PCR), separation and visualization (electrophoresis chambers and Gel Doc). The lab also has climatic chambers, greenhouses and equipment for in vitro cultures, facilities aiming at controlling and preserving genetic resources.
For further informations:
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Daniela Marone daniela.marone@crea.gov.it - Foggia Site
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Roberta Paris roberta.paris@crea.gov.it - Bologna Site
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Vincenzo Rossi vincenzo.rossi@crea.gov.it - Bergamo Site
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Patrizia Vaccino patrizia.vaccino@crea.gov.it - Vercelli Site