WestCore

The Western South Dakota DNA Core Facility (WestCore) was established at Black Hills State University as part of the South Dakota Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (SD BRIN) in 2004. We provide critical infrastructure that enhances research, education and training in the biomedical sciences. WestCore supports research activities across the SD-INBRE network by providing services to our South Dakota academic institutions, as well as to investigators at public and private agencies & institutions nationwide. WestCore is currently supported in part by NIH IDeA Program Grant 2 P20 GM103443 from the INBRE Program of the National Institute for General Medical Sciences. 

Website: https://www.bhsu.edu/Research/WestCore/ 

Our Services
WestCore offers services and training in the use of various genetic/genomic techniques and instruments, like Illumina NextSeq 2000, Lab Chip GX, Quantstudio dPCR system, ABI 3500 Genetic Analyzer, Quantstudio RT-PCR systems, assorted PCR Systems and other instruments.

We will help turn your research idea into results. Not sure where to start? Let us assist you with experiment planning, cost estimation, NextGen sequencing (NGS) library preparation and sequencing and even data analysis. You and/or your students are welcome to receive hands on training and experience with new techniques, including NGS in our lab. We are here to help you be successful!

• Next Generation Sequencing: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a parallel sequencing technology, which provides ultra-high throughput and is used widely in microbiology, cancer, complex diseases, and reproductive health research.

  • • Applications:

      • • Genomics. Whole Genome Sequencing (viruses, bacteria, human and others). Genome assembly, point mutations, lineage identification.

        • Transcriptomic (RNA-Seq). Differential gene expression, RNA editing, alternative splicing, gene fusion.

        • Epigenomics. Methylation, histone modification, transcription factor biding.

        • Metagenomics. Whole metagenome (shotgun) and targeted panels. Bacterial 16S rRNA, fungal ITS and eukaryotic 18s rRNA profiling.

• Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis: Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis by capillary electrophoresis is not getting old. Reliable, long-read capable and inexpensive to run, the ABI 3500 Genetic Analyzer is suitable for microbial isolate detection, genome editing confirmation, genotyping and fragment analysis.

  • • Applications:

      • • Fragment analysis

          • • AFLP

            • Microsatellite/STR

            • SNP genotyping analysis

        • Sanger sequencing

          • • Sequence analysis

            • Mutation detection

            • SNP discovery and validation

            • Sequence confirmation

• Digital and RT-qPCR: RT-qPCR is an affordable method for pathogen detection, target gene expression analysis, genotyping and copy number validation. Bring it to the next level with digital PCR technology: low detection limit, high precision and no standard curves! Make new discoveries with liquid biopsy, rare sequence detection or single-cell analysis.

  • • Applications:

      • • Copy number variation analysis

        • Gene expression quantification

        • Rare target detection

        • Genetic variation analysis

        • miRNA and noncoding RNA analysis

        • Mutation detection

We provide faculty and students with opportunities to access a wide range of genetic, epigenetic and gene expression applications for organisms from viruses and microorganisms to plants, animals, and humans. We will be glad to meet in person or via Zoom and discuss how WestCore can assist you and your students to bring your research ideas into data.

Meet our Team