Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Charlie Johnson, 979-862-3287, Charlie@ag.tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M AgriLife announced PerkinElmer Inc. has agreed to further support the growing field of agrigenomics through a sponsored collaboration of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Genomics and Bioinformatics Services Lab in College Station.
Dr. Charlie Johnson, director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Genomics and Bioinformatics Services Lab, shows some of the equipment that make the lab unique. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)
“The field of agricultural genomics has developed at a rapid pace over the past 30 years, with molecular plant breeding assisting in the development of pest- and drought-resistant species and high crop yields,” said Masoud Toloue, vice president and general manager, applied genomics, PerkinElmer.
“We are pleased to support the innovative agrigenomics research taking place at this lab and hope that the insights gained will help lead to new breakthroughs,” Toloue said.
The Genomics and Bioinformatics Services lab was developed to radically improve genomic research across AgriLife, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Texas A&M University System, said Dr. Charlie Johnson, lab director.
New signage in the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Genomics and Bioinformatics Services Lab in College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Dr. Charlie Johnson)
It addresses a central and pressing need for access to the latest genomic technologies, a world-class laboratory and bioinformatics expertise, Johnson said.
“In April, PerkinElmer named Texas A&M AgriLife Genomics and Bioinformatics Services a center of agricultural genomic excellence, announcing a collaboration to build a world-leading center of agriculture next-generation genomic research,” he said.
Johnson said PerkinElmer’s state-of-the-art robotics systems increased the lab’s capability to process 50,000 samples per year with the ability to grow to 150,000 in the coming years.
“Now PerkinElmer has provided additional support as we move into our new facilities,” he said. “The support they have provided will extend the current capabilities of the AgriLife Research service lab.”
As a leading provider of innovative detection, imaging, informatics and service capabilities, PerkinElmer offers solutions spanning the genomics workflow, including nucleic acid extraction, liquid handling, sample preparation, DNA/RNA quantitation, library preparation, data analysis and applications expertise.
“The development of lower-cost sequencing capabilities will allow for greater understanding of the genetic diversity within the environment and improved molecular selection and breeding programs,” Toloue said.
For more information on the lab’s new home, go to https://tinyurl.com/GBSnewhome or visit http://www.txgen.tamu.edu/.
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