Genotyping

Genotyping is a third area of our core laboratory process, providing support for the different genetic studies. Workers in this lab analyze samples for the presence of SNPs, which may be correlated with the occurrence of the disease of interest.

Samples arrive in the lab in the bar-coded plates prepared by the Samples Management lab. In the receiving area, they are scanned into the database.

Genotyping receives samples from the Genetics Samples Management laboratory and begins the genotyping process.

		The first step is to amplify (make many copies) a tiny piece of each DNA sample known to contain a polymorphism of interest that has been targeted for genotyping. In the next step, robotics are used to add reagents (enzymes and chemicals). These reagents act differently depending on which form of the allele of the polymorphism is present in each individual DNA sample. The different reaction's products are then analyzed on a detection instrument.				The analyzer looks for the presence of a particular base, either A or G, at a specific location on the gene. The presence of a base indicates a polymorphism at that location.
For the enzymes or reagents to produce the desired reaction, the samples must cycle through different temperatures for specific periods of time. The thermal cycler automates this process for many samples simultaneously. It can maintain temperatures from 0°C to 100°C.				The detection instrument determines which allele is present at the polymorphic site in each DNA sample.

Data are collected on a computer attached to the detection instrument. From there, they are transferred to a database for analysis by statisticians.

The results of this analysis are stored in a database that can be used by statisticians to help identify correlations between the presence of a specific allele of a polymorphism and susceptibility to the disease of interest.

Virtual Tour of Genotyping

Take a virtual tour of the genetics research labs at GlaxoSmithKline.

You will need the QuickTime plug-in to view the tour. Click here to download the appropriate plug-in.

Position your cursor over the picture above and hold down the mouse button. Drag the cursor around to where you want to look while continuing to hold the button down.

Move your cursor over the picture without holding the mouse button down. Your cursor will change to a pointing finger when you encounter a "hot spot." Clicking the mouse will open a window that displays video clips or photographs with more detail. Your pointer will change to an arrow when you encounter a jump point. Clicking the mouse on a jump point will move you to another place in the virtual tour of the lab.

Click the button with the "?" to reveal all the "hot spots."