CPGR
Genomics
We deliver precision-driven genomic solutions that decode the Genome of any organism through targeted and untargeted approaches. We also uncover both coding and non-coding RNA to power breakthrough insights. As the tech evolves, we stay ahead — driving the future of healthcare, diagnostics, and life science research.
We isolate high-quality DNA and RNA—fast, clean, and reliable. Using proven physical and chemical methods, we strip away cellular noise to recover pure genetic material. Every extraction is assessed for integrity, purity, and yield—because downstream success starts with precision upstream.
Applications
Our platform handles a wide range of sample types, including but not limited to:
Whole blood | Sputum |
Dried Blood Spots (DBS) | Bronchial Lavage |
Serum | Buccal cells |
Plasma | Mouth rinse |
Tissue | Stool |
FFPE (Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded) tissue | Urine |
Respiratory secretions | Cervical Lavage |
Saliva | Cell Culture (Mammalian, Bacterial, Viral, Fungal) |
Quality control analyses include:
DNA & RNA Quantification |
Purity Assessment |
Integrity and Size Assessment |
Contamination Check |
Concentration Normalization |
Current Services
CPGR’s extraction and QC laboratory provides validated workflows that ensures reliability and reproducibility in downstream analytical procedures. We are committed to delivering high-quality nucleic acids for various applications, including but not limited to genomics, transcriptomics, and molecular diagnostics.
Instruments
KingFisher™ Flex Purification System
QIAcube Connect and various manual extraction methods
NanoDrop™ 8000 Spectrophotometer
Glomax Explorer System, Qubit™ 4 Fluorometer
4200 TapeStation system, Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100 Expert
Syngene Gel Documentation System
Microarray technology powers large-scale genomic insights—from gene expression profiling and genotyping to DNA methylation and cytogenetics. We deliver comprehensive, high-throughput genome-wide analyses that drive discovery across human health, agriculture, and beyond. Built for scale, engineered for accuracy.
Current Services
- Pharmacogenomics testing using the Precision Medicine Diversity Array (PMDA/PMDA Plus)
- GWAS and Methylation pattern analysis
- CytoScan Optima array to enable the detection of aneuploidies, sub microscopic aberrations, and mosaic events.
Applications
- Pharmacogenomics
- Genome-Wide Associated Study (GWAS)
- CNV analysis
- Ancestry marker analysis
- Methylation pattern analysis
- Cytogenetics analysis
Instruments
- GeneTitan™ MC Instrument; GeneChip™ Scanner System; iScan™ System
NGS is reshaping the future of molecular biology—from rare disease breakthroughs to conservation surveillance. We apply high-throughput sequencing to power discovery across human health, agriculture, and biodiversity. We drive insight, unlock complexity, and put the African genome on the global map.
Current Services
- Whole Genome Sequencing
- Whole transcriptome Sequencing
- mRNA Sequencing
- Small RNA Sequencing
- Metatransciptomic Sequencing
- Targeted metagenomic Sequencing
- Shotgun Metagenomics
Applications
- DNA sequencing
- RNA sequencing
Instruments
- Illumina system – MiSeq, NextSeq 500, NextSeq 550 and NovaSeq 6000
- Ion Torrent – Ion S5
- Oxford Nanopore – Mk1C and PromethION 24
Real-Time PCR delivers targeted genomic insights—enabling high-precision gene expression analysis, genotyping, and miRNA profiling. We tailor qPCR workflows to drive discovery and diagnostics across human health, agriculture, and more. Built for focus, powered by precision.
Current Services
- Gene Expression Analysis with Real-Time PCR
- Targeted Genotyping
- miRNA Profiling
Applications
- qPCR Assay optimization and validation
- SNP Analysis
- Mutation Detection
- Copy Number Variation (CNV)
- Methylation-specific PCR
- Pharmacogenomic Profiling
Instruments
- QuantStudio™ 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System with the following supported plate formats:
– FAST 96-well plate
– 384-well plates
– OpenArray® chips with the QuantStudio™ AccuFill System loader
Capillary Electrophoresis offers high-resolution DNA fragment analysis. We use CE for automated Sanger sequencing and multiplexed genotyping, ideal for targeted, low-to-mid throughput applications where NGS may be cost- or time-prohibitive. CE remains the method of choice for validating NGS findings, confirming single-gene variants, or conducting precise fragment sizing in a streamlined workflow.
Current Services
- Human Identification for Paternity, Maternity or Kinship DNA testing (for Research use only)
- Sanger Sequencing
Applications
- Targeted DNA sequencing
- NGS confirmation
- Microbial sequencing
- Mitochondrial sequencing
- Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis in human sample identification
- Microsatellite marker analysis
- Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping
- Quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF-PCR)
- Restriction/Amplified fragment length polymorphism (RFLP/AFLP) analysis
- Single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis
Instrument
- SeqStudio™ Genetic Analyzer System
Nucleic Acid Extraction & Quality Control
The Nucleic Acid Extraction platform at CPGR is dedicated to the isolation and purification of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA). This process involves employing a variety of physical and/or chemical methods to effectively separate genetic material from cell membranes, proteins, and other cellular components. The CPGR laboratory is equipped to ensure both efficiency and high-quality extraction, setting the stage for subsequent downstream analytical procedures.
- Automated
Automated extraction processes utilize cutting-edge technology to streamline and enhance the efficiency of nucleic acid isolation. This method is particularly advantageous for high-throughput workflows, allowing for the processing of a large number of samples with precision and reproducibility.
- Semi-Automated
Semi-automated extraction combines the benefits of automation with the flexibility of manual intervention. This approach is well-suited for projects that require a balance between precision and manual control, accommodating a range of sample types and sizes.
- Manual extraction
Manual extraction provides a hands-on approach to nucleic acid isolation, offering researchers the flexibility to tailor the process to specific requirements. This method is suitable for smaller-scale projects or instances where a more customized approach is desired.
The Nucleic Acid Extraction platform at CPGR is equipped to handle a wide array of sample sources. The platform supports the extraction of nucleic acids from diverse sample types, including but not limited to:
| Whole blood | Sputum |
|---|---|
| Dried Blood Spots (DBS) | Bronchial Lavage |
| Serum | Buccal cells |
| Plasma | Mouth rinse |
| Tissue | Stool |
| FFPE (Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded) tissue | Urine |
| Respiratory secretions | Cervical Lavage |
| Saliva | Cell Culture (Mammalian, Bacterial, Viral, Fungal) |
Current Services
- CPGR’s extraction laboratory provides validated workflows for nucleic acid extraction, ensuring reliability and reproducibility in downstream analytical procedures. The platform is committed to delivering high-quality nucleic acids for various applications, including but not limited to genomics, transcriptomics, and molecular diagnostics.
Clients can benefit from the expertise and advanced infrastructure at CPGR, facilitating cutting-edge research and analysis in the field of nucleic acids.
- KingFisher™ Flex Purification System
- QIAcube Connect and various manual methods.
- Various manual methods.
Capillary Electrophoresis
Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) in genomic applications has surpassed conventional gel electrophoresis, providing unparalleled precision and efficiency for targeted or multiplexed genotyping. This analytical technique separates and analyzes DNA fragments based on their size and charge. At CPGR, CE facilitates applications that demand automated Sanger sequencing or fragment analysis workflows, offering flexibility to meet the unique requirements of your project outputs.
- Targeted DNA sequencing
- NGS confirmation
- Microbial sequencing
- Mitochondrial sequencing
- Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis in human sample identification
- Microsatellite marker analysis
- Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping
- Quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF-PCR)
- Restriction/Amplified fragment length polymorphism (RFLP/AFLP) analysis
- Single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis
- Human Identification for Paternity, Maternity or Kinship DNA testing (for Research use only)
- Sanger Sequencing
- SeqStudio™ Genetic Analyzer System
Microarray
The Microarray platform specialises in a collection of high-throughput, streamlined array processing, specifically looking at gene expression studies and genome-wide analytics. Various assays are available for genotyping and copy number variation (CNV) analysis. The platform also hosts DNA Methylation pattern analysis and Cytogenetics analysis capabilities.
- Pharmacogenomics
- Genome-Wide Associated Study (GWAS)
- CNV analysis
- Ancestry marker analysis
- Methylation pattern
- Cytogenetics analysis
- Pharmacogenomics testing using the Precision Medicine Diversity Array (PMDA/PMDA Plus)
- GWAS and Methylation pattern analysis
- CytoScan Optima array to enable the detection of aneuploidies, sub microscopic aberrations, and mosaic events
- GeneTitan™ MC Instrument
- iScan™ System
Next Generation Sequencing
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has propelled discoveries in rare disease research; allowed monitoring of cancer immunotherapy treatment efficacy; and helped us understand that our gut health as humans is at the core of our susceptibility to disease. In the era of the genome, the CPGR is poised to be an enabler and driver of efforts in utilising NGS to elucidate not only the African genome but our rich biodiversity.
- DNA sequencing
- RNA sequencing
- Whole Genome Sequencing.
- Whole transcriptome Sequencing
- mRNA Sequencing
- small RNA sequencing
- Metatransciptomic sequencing
- Targeted metagenomic sequencing
- Shotgun metagenomics
- NovaSeq™ 6000 System
- NextSeq ™500
- NextSeq ™550
- MiSeq™
- Ion GeneStudio™ S5 System with Ion Chef™ Instrument.
RT-PCR
The Real-Time PCR platform offers custom qPCR services for targeted gene expression analysis, genotyping and miRNA Profiling.
- Gene Expression Analysis with Real-Time PCR
- Targeted Genotyping
- miRNA Profiling services
- Gene Expression Analysis with Real-Time PCR for the quantitative measurement of mRNA expression of defined target genes. This service covers:
- SYBR-Green or TaqMan primer design
- qPCR Assay optimization and validation
- Validation of reference (housekeeping) gene stability
- Gene Expression Data Analysis
- Profiling using multi-well plate-based gene expression arrays (e.g., RT2 Profiler PCR Arrays, TissueScan qPCR Arrays, etc)
- Mid-to high-throughput custom gene expression profiling using the OpenArray® platform
- Fixed Content TaqMan Specific Gene Expression Pathway Panels: Human Cancer Panel, Human and Mouse Inflammation Panels, Human Kinome Panel, Human Signal Transduction Panel and Stem Cell Panel
- Pathogen detection
- RNASeq Data Validation
- Viral quantification
- Targeted Genotyping to identify and validate genetic variations in DNA samples with the following services:
- SNP Analysis
- Mutation Detection
- Copy Number Variation (CNV) with Real-Time PCR
- Methylation-specific PCR
- High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis – (not sure if we should include this since we have not done these experiments yet)
- Pharmacogenomic Profiling of ADME Gene Variants using the TaqMan™ OpenArray™ PGx Express Panel.
- Human Barcoding
- QuantStudio™ 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System
- FAST 96-well plates
- 384-well plates and the OpenArray® chips with the QuantStudio™ AccuFill System loader for mid to high-throughput TaqMan assays.
