Genomics Facility
The IOR Genomics Facility is fully equipped to perform a broad range of genomic studies, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) for DNA- and RNA-based analyses. Facility staff provide expert support in experimental planning and perform all quality control procedures required for NGS workflows on Illumina platforms.
The Facility primarily supports genomic research conducted at the IOR, IRB, and other research institutes in Ticino, and can also accommodate a limited number of external collaborations. Our aim is to make next-generation sequencing and high-throughput genomic technologies accessible to as many researchers as possible, thereby fostering the adoption of advanced experimental approaches and enabling discoveries that rely on high-throughput methodologies.
For inquiries regarding experimental planning, availability, and costs, please contact Andrea Rinaldi.
The Genomics Facility is supported by the Foundation of the Institute of Oncology Research.
Staff
Andrea Rinaldi
Head of Genomics Facility & Chief Operating Office
Arianna Cerana
Lab Technician
Georgia Alice Galimberti
Lab Technician
Services
Services
The Facility provides services covering sample preparation, data generation, and - upon request - the delivery of partially preprocessed or analyzed sequencing data.
Currently, we support library preparation and sequencing for:
- RNA sequencing (polyA-selected and ribodepleted libraries)
- Whole Exome Sequencing (WES)
- Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)
- Small RNA sequencing
- ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN-seq
- DNA methylation sequencing
- Amplicon sequencing
- Spatial transcriptomics
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (Smart-seq, 10x Genomics, BD Rhapsody, Parse Biosciences)
Sample Submission
For all researchers affiliated with the Università della Svizzera italiana, please use the sample submission form available at the following link:
https://form-priv.arc.usi.ch/form/view.php?id=182340
All external researchers: please contact Andrea Rinaldi.
Equipment
Sequencing Platforms
- Illumina NextSeq 2000
A flexible and scalable benchtop sequencing system supporting a wide range of flow cells. It generates up to 2.4 billion reads, 2 × 300 bp paired-end, or 360 Gb of sequence data per run. - Genemind SurfSeq 5000
A high-throughput NGS platform for DNA- and RNA-based applications, including bulk, targeted, and single-cell sequencing workflows. Depending on the run configuration, it can generate up to ~15–20 billion reads per run, enabling large-scale genomic studies at competitive cost per gigabase. - Illumina NextSeq 500
A benchtop sequencing system suitable for whole genomes, exomes, and transcriptomes, generating up to 400 million reads, 2 × 150 bp paired-end, or 120 Gb of sequence data. - Illumina MiSeq
A sequencing-by-synthesis platform widely used for small-scale sequencing projects, generating up to 25 million reads, 2 × 300 bp paired-end, or 10 Gb of sequence data. - Illumina MiniSeq
A compact and affordable sequencing system for targeted DNA and RNA applications using proven Illumina technology.
Single-Cell and Spatial Genomics
- 10x Genomics Chromium
A versatile single-cell platform enabling efficient cell partitioning and barcoding for a wide range of single-cell assays, supported by intuitive software for data analysis. - 10x Genomics Visium CytAssist
A compact instrument that simplifies the Visium workflow by enabling probe transfer from standard glass slides to Visium slides, supporting whole-transcriptome spatial profiling of FFPE and fresh-frozen tissue sections. - BD Rhapsody Single-Cell Analysis System
A platform for high-throughput single-cell and multiomic analysis, particularly suitable for fragile cells. It supports a broad cell throughput range (100–40,000 cells) with visual workflow quality control.
Sample Preparation and Quality Control
- Biometra TAdvanced Thermal Cycler
A high-performance thermal cycler with fast heating and cooling rates for PCR applications. - Q5 384 Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems)
A high-throughput qPCR platform in a 384-well format, supporting gene expression analysis, genotyping, and NGS quality control. - Bio-Rad QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System
- Covaris M220
A focused-ultrasonication system using Adaptive Focused Acoustics (AFA) technology for precise DNA and RNA fragmentation under isothermal conditions. - Covaris ML230
An automated ultrasonication system providing highly reproducible DNA and RNA fragmentation for standardized NGS library preparation. - Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer
A microfluidics-based capillary electrophoresis system for RNA integrity analysis, DNA sizing, genotyping, and protein analysis, using Lab-on-a-Chip technology.
Facility Acknowledgement
Please acknowledge the Genomics Facility in any scientific publication or oral presentation that includes data generated using our equipment, services, or staff expertise.
To document the Facility's scientific output, we kindly request that you send us a copy of any publication that includes data generated with our support.
Co-authorship
If a member of the Genomics Facility has made a significant intellectual contribution beyond routine sample processing or data generation, co-authorship should be considered.
