The molecular laboratories at RBGE are well equipped with facilities for all aspects of molecular biodiversity research, from DNA extraction through to library prep for Next Generation Sequencing.
DNA Extraction Lab: Equipped for manual and automated DNA extraction: Qiagen TissueLyser, Fastprep-24 , thermomixers, QiaCube.
Pre and Post PCR Labs: Clean lab space dedicated to Pre or Post amplification of DNA.
Next Generation Sequencing Lab: DNA and library quality check equipment, including Bioanalyser, DeNovix Spectrophotometer/Fluorometer, Nanodrop, Qubit and Agilent Tapestation 2200, as well as a Diagenode BioRuptor for DNA fragmentation.
RNA lab: Dedicated benchspace and equipment for extracting and working with RNA.
Secure access lab: External laboratory space for restricted-access molecular work, including foreign soils and plant pathogens.
Bioinformatics suite: Computers loaded with sequence editing and analysis programmes, including Sequencher and Geneious, and an analysis server.
Historic DNA Lab: Low-copy DNA extraction and library prep lab with separate room for sample powdering. This lab is dedicated to herbarium material and is physically isolated from any post-PCR area. Contamination from environmental DNA and PCR products is kept to a minimum by ensuring one-way workflows, the use of PPE, a strict daily cleaning routine, and UV-decontamination of reagents and consumables. The lab is equipped with HEPA-filtered PCR and biological cabinets for sample and reagent handling in a cleanroom-like environment.