Synthetic Genetic Arrays

Synthetic Genetic Array (SGA) analysis involves the manipulation of high-density yeast arrays to identify synthetic genetic interactions. In a typical SGA screen, a query strain is systematically crossed to an ordered array of deletion mutants, such that the meiotic progeny harboring both gene mutations can be assayed for growth defects. Identifying these interactions allows for the construction of large genetic networks, which reveal functional dependency and pathway redundancy in yeast.

Bacteria Genetic Screening

E. coli Synthetic Genetic Array (eSGA) analysis involves the manipulation of high-density bacteria arrays to monitor bacterial genetic interactions. In a typical eSGA screen, a query strain is systematically conjugated to a genome-wide arrayed collection of single gene mutants. After rounds of robotic pinning and duel marker selection, E. coli strains harboring both gene mutations can be assayed for growth defects.  Systematic and quantitative identification of genetic interactions allows the construction of large genetic networks, revealing functional dependency and pathway redundancy in E. coli.

Algae Genetic Screening

We are carrying out broad genetic screens in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, for which the ROTOR HDA technology would be very useful. However, Chlamydomonas differs from budding yeast in cell size, growth rate, colony morphology and adhesiveness, and light responsiveness. Therefore, it was important to test specifically if the ROTOR HDA technology would work with Chlamydomonas.

Chemical Genetics & Drug Target Discovery

Chemical genetic screening is a phenotypic screening methodology that systematically tests the efficacy of thousands of small molecules simultaneously. It is superior to target-based screening methodology for drug discovery because chemical genetic screening  is unbiased and screens chemicals directly in complex cellular environment. Therefore, chemical genetic screening is an efficient way to discover and validate new drugable targets and identify potentially efficacious therapeutics.
 

Yeast 2-Hybrid

The yeast 2-hybrid (Y2H) assay is a well-established technique to detect protein-protein interactions.  This is an extremely powerful tool for researchers and is often used alongside one or two other methods to examine the multitude of interactions that take place in cells.  The assay is straightforward to perform and generates high quality results in a short amount of time.

Accurate Colony Picking Platform

Picking accuracy, or the ability to pick a microbial colony precisely without touching other unwanted materials, is by far the most important reason why we replace humans with robots for picking hundreds, if not thousands, of colonies in the lab. Robotic pickers provide consistency, repeatability, and are able to work for long hours.

However, not all robotic pickers are able to pick colonies with high accuracy. Many robotic pickers failed to pick with high accuracy for various reasons. That is why it is important to thoroughly test the picking accuracy of any colony pickers.
 

High-throughput microscopy with SLIP

SLIP (Strain Library Imaging Protocol) is a novel methodology developed by the KC Huang lab at Stanford University to rapidly image hundreds of thousands of arrayed bacterial cells in one microscopy session.

Using the ROTOR™ to investigate SARS-CoV-2 viral-host protein interactions

We are using the Singer Instruments ROTOR™ to screen the yeast gene disruption library for virus-host genetic interactions.

Discovering the Power of Yeast

Maitreya Dunham – Cold Spring Harbor Yeast Genetics & Genomics Course

Tackling superbugs and the antibiotics crisis

McMaster University
 

Inventing the engine for understanding biological networks

University of Toronto

Colony Screening Upgrade: PhenoBooth

The Synthetic Genetic Array Upgrade is a software package for the PhenoBooth Colony Counter. It enables high-throughput quantitative analysis of your SGA, Y2H and random mutagenesis arrays, allowing your image analysis to keep up with your pinning.

Colony Picking: PIXL

PIXL is an easy-to-use, precision microbial colony picker. Automate colony recognition, selection, & picking; from Petri dishes to multi-well plates.

Colony Picking Upgrade: PhenoBooth

The PhenoBooth is a fast, semi-automated plate reader for imaging and analysis of cell colonies. The open-architecture software enables fully customizable workflows. Data export and import is possible at any stage, as well as customisable integration options for LIMS compatibility.