The Genomics and Epigenomics Platform organises, integrates and optimises in a single facility the resources, knowledge and experience present in the laboratories that are active in the region, to launch a Centre of Excellence of national importance in the field of genomics and epigenomics and promote synergies between regional, national and international players in the sector.
Initially consisting of the integration of existing equipment (HiScanSQ and MiSeq, HiSeq 2500 System-High Output Mode, HiSeq 2500 System-Rapid Run Mode and NextSeq500), the platform will be enhanced by a new state-of-the-art Sequencer, the performance of which will add new potential in terms of applications/methods, ultra-high throughput and cost reduction.
Sequencing equipment will be supported by a new and powerful IT infrastructure able to process raw data from genomic sequencers, with a computing capacity and storage space that allows the operation of laboratories consolidating their needs in a single site (c/o AREA Science Park), ensuring an adequate initial sizing in terms of computing capacity and storage space, and allowing future enhancements and expansions to ensure the scalability of the system.
The platform will have its headquarters at the AREA Science Park Campus and specialised units at other sites, according to a governance model envisaging that instrumentation and skills become the common technological heritage of those who share the same aims.
The platform, managed according to an Open Lab approach, will represent an asset at the service of different public and private stakeholders and an element of attraction both for large communities of researchers and for an open market of users (IRCSS, Hospitals, Companies).
The activities and services offered by the platform will address two priority macro-environments: