Core DIGPCR
Mission
The Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction Core facility (DIGPCR) brings together the infrastructure and expertise on digital PCR at Ghent University. Digital PCR is an emerging method for absolute quantification of target nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and is increasingly gaining interest from molecular labs in academia and industry to make this the preferred platform for such analyses.
Our core facility seeks to support and provide access to state-of-the-art digital PCR technology/instruments combined with internationally renowned expertise covering the entire workflow from experiment design, assay design & validation, data generation, data analysis with in-house developed (statistical) workflows and reporting. Especially in the field of oncology, digital PCR has already proven its unique qualities in terms of copy number variation, fusion gene detection, methylation status and/or mutation assay workflows linked to liquid biopsies, tumor burden, personalized therapy efficacy monitoring and/or minimal residual disease.
Services & expertise
We are a one-stop shop for digital PCR with services ranging from experimental design, assay design and optimalization, setting up and running dPCR (clinical) experiments to statistical data analysis. We offer access to all major dPCR platforms: Roche Digital LightCycler, Qiagen QIAcuity (Four), Bio-Rad QX200, Stilla NioE, Thermofische Absolute Q and Sniper DQ24.
Team
- Prof. Ward De Spiegelaere (PhD) – Principal Investigator
- Dr. Wim Trypsteen (PhD) – Director DIGPCR Core Facility
- Prof. Jo Vandesompele (PhD) – Principal Investigator
- Prof. Olivier Thas (PhD) – Principal Investigator
- Prof. Linos Vandekerckhove (MD, PhD) – Principal Investigator
- Prof. Laurens Pauwels (PhD) – Principal Investigator
- Dr. Matthijs Vynck (PhD) – Visiting Scientist
- Dr. Antoon Lievens – Visiting Scientist
- Melanie De Rijck – Lab Technician
Contact & links
- Website
- Email: wim.trypsteen@ugent.be & ward.despiegelaere@ugent.be