Technologies

Core Technologies

The CPGR is equipped for high end mass spectrometry (ABI 4800 MALDI TOF/TOF), 2D nano-LC (Dionex Ultimate 3000), DNA/protein microarraying (Genetix QArray2), high density gene chip analysis (Affymetrix GS3000 system), microarray scanning and hybridisation (Tecan LS and Tecan HS 4800 Pro), real-time RT-PCR (ABI 7900, Roche LightCycler 480), and DNA/RNA analysis (Agilent 2100 bioanalyser), amongst others.

A highly

skilled laboratory staff compliment maintain and run these key pieces of equipment, while providing critical support in services and projects for members of the scientific community.

The organization can handle samples and isolates from most biological sources, including human, animal, plant, yeast, bacteria and virus in a secure Biohazard Class II (BSL II) environment.

To create effective solutions in complex biological projects, the CPGR has established more than 50 validated genomic, proteomic and bio-informatic workflows. These include array-based RNA expression profiling on an Affymetrix GeneChip platform, mass spectrometry based protein ID and biomarker discovery on an ABI 4800 MALDI-ToF/ToF, and multiplex antibody capturing assays on protein arrays.

Computational workflows for high-throughput analysis of genomic and proteomic data-sets, including standard DNA and next-gen sequencing data analysis complete the portfolio.

Core Competencies

In creating value for the scientific community in academia and industry the CPGR employs and combines a set of core competencies and philosophies. The

CPGR places a strong emphasis on developing and offering unique solutions in a systems-based manner in drug development and disease biomarker discovery programs based on the notion that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to biological problems and "omics" tools should be used in an integrated fashion to tackle complexity in research projects.

In order to create good quality data the organization has implemented a unique quality management program which incorporates elements of ISO17025 and G(C)LP to create an environment that meets the flexibility required for basic research projects but provides the consistency and compliance required in projects with industry. Quality gates are integral to workflow development and execution and ensure that only data of the highest quality are generated and released.

The organization is building significant bio-informatics capacity to support its integrated "omics" laboratory as well as the growing demand for the interpretation of data generated by other information-rich analytical platforms and in the many projects run by scientists in South Africa. Bioinformatics is treated as an integral component in the design, execution and interpretation of "omics" projects to create turn-key solutions for complex biological problems.

The CPGR has established a unique body of knowledge in culturing and handling HepaRG liver cells and other ex-vivo cell culture systems. In combination with the existing "omics" and bioinformatics expertise these system can be used to enhance drug target discovery, compound screening and disease biomarker discovery in a unique fashion.

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