Welcome to the Columbia Genome Center
The JP Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center is a specialized environment for conducting high-throughput biomedical research. Our experienced faculty and research technicians utilize a variety of state-of-the-art genomic platforms to generate high-quality genomic data and to support its analysis.
We provide genomics services for researchers both inside and outside Columbia University, including researchers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries as well as other academic institutions. We welcome opportunities to partner on many kinds of research projects, both as scientific collaborators and on a fee-for-service basis. Please contact us to discuss how we can help you in your research.
Our mission is to facilitate scientific discovery and to develop innovative approaches that can extend the application and scientific relevance of genomics. We not only use industry standard technologies for next-generation sequencing and high-throughput screening, but also perform cutting-edge applications such as single cell chemistry, pooled shRNA screens, and multiplexed reporter assays.
The JP Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center is a testament to the vision of the late Dr. Judith Sulzberger, whose generous support has helped Columbia establish both this center and the Columbia Initiative in Systems Biology.
Our services
The Columbia Genome Center currently conducts research and provides genomic services in three areas.
Next-generation sequencing utilizes high-throughput technologies to quickly and economically generate accurate profiles of DNA variability and RNA abundance, and to perform comparative analyses of many samples. We use industry-standard technologies to perform whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and RNA-seq.
The Columbia Genome Center operates a flexible facility for performing automated, high-throughput screening assays for perturbing biological systems. We maintain several large libraries of small molecules, siRNA, shRNA, and cDNA. Our facilities are capable of high-content imaging and analysis, and gene expression profiling.
Bioinformatics & Advanced Data Analysis
As an integrated part of the Columbia Initiative in Systems Biology (CISB), the Columbia Genome Center includes faculty who specialize in developing advanced computational and statistical approaches for analyzing genomic data.
Guidance on experimental design
In some cases, procedures for high-throughput screening and next-generation sequencing are relatively well established. When more customized approaches are needed, however, we work closely with our clients and scientific collaborators to develop customized protocols that leverage the latest advances in technology and experimental design. By helping our clients to understand the best ways to use new experimental and computational techniques to achieve scientific goals, our team is constantly working to improve the science of next-generation sequencing and high-throughput screening.
Affordable pricing & scalability
We welcome queries about sequencing and screening projects of any size, including small-scale experiments to test new approaches. As an academic genome center, our goal is to make next-generation sequencing and high-throughput screening accessible to as many researchers as possible. By doing so, we not only advance the use of these experimental techniques, but also facilitate the kinds of discoveries that are only possible using high-throughput technologies.
An integrated research environment
Our involvement in the Columbia Initiative in Systems Biology means that, in addition to specialists in computational biology, we also work closely with Columbia University investigators who conduct research in medicinal chemistry, organic chemical synthesis, and chemical systems biology. Although not all investigators who work with us require all of these dimensions in their work, these capabilities may offer additional opportunities for investigation and collaboration as your research progresses.
Education and training
In the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries — and increasingly in academic departments in the biosciences — a conceptual understanding of high-throughput approaches to biological experimentation is essential. As part of an academic research center, the Columbia Genome Center also performs an important educational mission, helping members of the Columbia University research community to integrate state-of-the-art genomics methodologies into their work. We particularly welcome the opportunity to work closely with Columbia University postdoctoral fellows and doctoral students to help them understand the principles of high-throughput genomics, and how to utilize them in their chosen fields of interest.
Affiliations
The JP Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center is operated under the direction of the Columbia Initiative in Systems Biology, and as a co-shared facility with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.