Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine (BIOMMED)

GeneLab: Managed by Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

Integrated Molecular Biology, Next-Generation Sequencing & Bioinformatics Core

1. Mission & Scope
GeneLab is a full-service core that supports investigators across LSU and beyond with state-of-the-art molecular biology, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and bioinformatics resources. We offer end-to-end project support—from experimental design through data analysis and interpretation—while fostering training and collaboration within the research community.

2. Instrumentation & Core Facilities
Platform | Key Instruments & Upgrades
--------|---------------------------
Sanger Sequencing | 2 × Applied Biosystems 3130xl Genetic Analyzers
Next-Generation Sequencing | NEW Illumina NextSeq 2000, Illumina NextSeq 550, Illumina MiSeq, 10x Genomics Chromium Controller (single-cell & spatial)
Quantification & QC | Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, NEW Agilent 4200 TapeStation, AATI Fragment Analyzer
PCR & q/dPCR | Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 12K Flex, 2× ABI QuantStudio 6Pro, Bio-Rad QX200 Droplet Digital PCR
Flow cytometry & Imaging | BD Accuri C6, Olympus Vivaview Live, Zeiss Observer Z1, Leica 4000B Fluorescent Scope, Leica DM-IRB Fluorescent Scope, Olympus IX71 Fluorescent Scope, Olympus MVX Fluorescent Dissecting Scope, Xenogen IVIS-50 In Vivo Imaging
Automation & Robotics | Eppendorf epMotion 5075 Liquid Handler, NEW ThermoFisher KingFisher Flex
Computational Resources | High-performance workstations with CLC Genomics Workbench, Illumina DRAGEN, Galaxy, and custom pipelines

3. Core Services
Sequencing & Genomics:
- Sanger sequencing, primer walking, dye-terminator clean-up
- NGS library prep: genomic DNA, RNA-seq(single cell, small RNA, amplicon, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq)
- 10x Genomics single-cell 3′/5′, multi-ome (ATAC + GEX) & immune profiling
- Long-read library preparation (PacBio/Oxford Nanopore partner labs)
- Digital PCR & absolute quantification
- Custom target capture & panel sequencing
- Complete data delivery (FASTQ, BAM/CRAM, VCF) and interactive reports

Molecular & Cellular Biology:
- Gene cloning, mutagenesis, plasmid construction
- CRISPR guideRNA design & validation

Imaging & Flow cytometry:
- Confocal, live-cell, and whole-animal imaging
- Automated cell counting and viability
- Flow cytometry analysis & sorting (via FACS Core collaboration)

Bioinformatics & Data Science:
- Project design consultations (no-cost)
- End-to-end analysis pipelines for bulk & single-cell RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, metagenomics, ML-driven multi-omics integration
- Custom scripts, visualization, and figure generation
- Training modules: Introduction to Bioinformatics, Bytes & Molecules, Biomedical Data Analysis in R/Python, Infectious-disease omics, and more

4. Training & Workshops
GeneLab hosts hands-on workshops, webinars, and semester-long courses covering wet-lab techniques, NGS workflows, and advanced bioinformatics. Many modules are cross-listed on the LBRN Training Platform for on-demand access.

5. GeneLab Supply Center
Through our on-site Supply Center (Room 3212, SVM), researchers can purchase Life Technologies/Thermo Fisher reagents and consumables at discounted prices with free shipping to GeneLab. Orders can be:
- Picked up at the lab (no fee)
- Delivered anywhere on campus for a flat $5 internal-transaction charge

6. How to Engage
1. Request Services via iLab (https://lsu.ilab.agilent.com/) (project initiation, quotes, scheduling).
2. Consultation: Email or visit us for experimental design assistance—complimentary for LSU-affiliated investigators.
3. Support Letters: Available for grant submissions upon request.

For pricing, detailed workflows, or to schedule a tour of the new NextSeq 2000 platform, 

Contact

Robert Ellis, Lab Coordinator

rellis10@lsu.edu 

For registration or login click here LOGIN TO ILAB

GeneLab is committed to delivering high-quality data, rapid turnaround, and comprehensive support to accelerate your research.

Viral Vectors Laboratory

The VVL provides custom baculovirus, adenovirus, vaccinia virus, herpes, and other recombinant virus construction for heterologous gene expression, and vaccine and gene therapy studies. For the production of proteins in eukaryotic cells the laboratory uses recombinant baculoviruses-based expression in insect cell cultures.

The VVL is currently supported by a Louisiana Governor's Biotechnology Initiative Program Grant as a support facility for the construction of recombinant adenoviruses and herpes simplex viruses for cancer therapy. In addition, VVL is funded by NIH for the generation of vesicular stomatitis viruses as vaccine vectors for West Nile virus and simian retroviruses in collaboration with the Tulane National Primate Research Center in Covington, Louisiana.

VVL provides technological and scale-up support services via direct contractual arrangements. For further information, contact Dr. Vladimir Chouljenko.

Protein and Antibody Production and Purification Laboratory

This laboratory concentrates on the production and purification of proteins and antibodies under contractual arrangements with clients. The laboratory produces monospecific antibodies in rabbits and mice using conventional immunization methodologies using purified protein immunogens as well as genetic immunization methods. Antibodies are concentrated and purified using standard methodologies.

The laboratory provides service support on the use of chromatographic methods for the purification of proteins from bacterial or eukaryotic expression systems. One example of a purification procedure involves the purification of histidine-tagged proteins produced in bacteria and insect cells. Purification by FPLC is done using immobilized metal ion adsorption chromatography (IMAC). Additional chromatographic methodologies that can be applied include Ion Exchange chromatography (IEC) and reverse-phase chromatography.

The laboratory has a fully automated chromatographic system AKTAExplorer FPLC system (Amersham/Pharmacia). The entire system is refrigerated and computer controlled using Unicorn software v3.10. HPLC equipment are available for further protein purification in collaboration with the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory of the department of Comparative Medical Sciences at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Faculty

Post-doctoral Researchers

Graduate Students

Administration