C3 Shared Cores (Resources)

The Biorepository and Tissue Technology Core in the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is a developing collection of plasma, serum, RNA stabilized buffy coat, urine, viable tumor samples, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor; with associated clinical information. Urine and blood-derived specimens are available from a wide variety of cancer cases and cancer-free controls. Tumor sample availability is more limited. Samples are collected from consented subjects, and de-identified clinical information on the subjects is available. The initial tumor collection is predominately from breast and gastrointestinal malignancies. The core can provide anonymized samples from the repository, or ongoing sample collection.
Go to the Biorepository and Tissue Technology Core Website

The UCSD Transgenic Mouse Shared Resource in the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is a state-of-the-an facility that has an outstanding track record in the production of genetically altered mice. Transgenic mice carrying new or novel genes are created by microinjcction of DNA into the pronuclei of fertilized eggs. Knock-out mice lacking specific genes of interest are created by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells followed by injection into blastocysts to create chimeric mice. Knock-in mice with specific mutations or alterations are created using CRISPR mediated recombination. The shared resource also provides embryo rederivation, sperm and embryo freezing, ovary transplants, in-vitro fertilization, and embryo thawing.
Go to the UCSD Transgenic Mouse Shared Resource Website

The Gene Transfer, Targeting and Therapeutics Core (GT3, formerly called the Viral Vectors core,) in the Salk Institute Cancer Center provides design, consultation and production services for retrovirus (MMLV/MSCV), lentivirus (HIV/EIAV), adeno-associated virus (AAV), adenovirus (Ad5), rabies virus (g-deleted SAD B19) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) -based viral vector systems. The core offers stocks of DNA shuffled AAV libraries, which allow for selection of novel serotypes with unique transduction properties on cells of interest, as well as non-viral delivery technologies based on mini-intronic plasmid (MIP). In addition, GT3 offers vector titration services, vector purification services, Replication Competent Lentivirus (RCL) testing, and limited custom cloning and vector services. Several advanced instruments are available for use in the core on a charge-back basis, including a NanoSight system for sizing and counting viral particles, a GE AKTA system for protein purification, and an Eppendorf liquid handling system.
Gene Transfer, Targeting and Therapeutics Core (GT3) Website

The Salk Institute Transgenic Core (TG) in the Salk Institute Cancer Center is dedicated to providing access to cutting-edge technologies to create transgenic and knockout mouse models. Core services include microinjection of DNA constructs into single-cell stage embryos, microinjection of gene-targeted mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells into blastocysts, in-vitro fertilization (lVF), cryopreservation and rederivation of mouse lines. The TG core has implemented new genome engineering technologies based on the CRlSPR-associated RNA-guided endonuclease Cas9, which enables generation of mice carrying mutations in multiple genes, endogenous reporters, conditional alleles or defined deletions. ln addition, the Core offers lentiviral injection of two-cell stage embryos, and injection of human embryonic stem (hES) cell lines and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines into immunodeficient mice to form teratomas. They can provide G4l8-resistant mice for generating feeder cells for ES cell culture and inbred strains of mice.

Contact for Salk Institute Transgenic Core: Yelena Dayn
Salk Institute Transgenic Core Website

The Chemical Library Screening facility at Sanford Burnham Prebys, within the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, includes the Assay Development facility, which supports the development and optimization of robust and sensitive high throughput-ready assays (384 or 1536 well) with a wide variety of readouts; the Chemical Libraries & High-Throughput Screening facility, which provides high throughput screening utilizing the core’s focused libraries or broad collections of compounds (>1,000,000 compounds total) and extensive robotics; the High Content Screening facility, which develops assays for screening with high-throughput microscopy and assists with all aspects of screening and analysis, including algorithm development; and Medicinal Chemistry, with broad experience and capabilities to support all aspects of drug discovery, including hit selection, initial SAR exploration and lead optimization.

The Functional Genomics Core in the Sanford Burnham Prebys Cancer Center specializes in target discovery and validation, by means of targeted or genome-wide genetic screening in cultured cells. The Core's tools include an arrayed genome-wide siRNA library, focused shRNA libraries, with most current analyses utilizing CRISPR-based reagents. CRISPR constructs include pooled libraries, as well as CRISPRi and CRISPRa constructs. The Core is currently expanding its collection of focused, arrayed CRISPR libraries. Screening services range from initial feasibility assessment experiments all the way through verification of identified targets. Core personnel develop both plate reader and image-based cellular assays, and develop and adapt them to HTS screening conditions in conjunction with the High Content Screening facility in SBP’s Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics.