Welcome
The Biomolecular Core Laboratory (BCL) is a member of the Nemours' Center for Pediatric Research located in the Rockland Center One building of the A. I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE. Since its inception in 2001, BCL has had the unique opportunity to develop competitive research project in pediatric genetics and to provide essential services in molecular biology and genetics to the Nemours clinicians and research staff and to affiliates researchers of the University of Delaware and Thomas Jefferson University.
In 2005, Nemours was awarded a COBRE grant # 4P20 RR020173-01 to establish The Center for Pediatric Research, for which BCL is the Molecular Biology Core. Through this COBRE grant, the BCL was able to upgrade its existing DNA sequencing and fragment analysis services as well as establish a new unit for Real-Time PCR.
The BCL staff offers support in automated DNA sequencing, DNA fragment analysis, and SNP analysis; Real-Time PCR; custom oligonucleotide synthesis; robotic liquid handling methodologies; pyrosequencing and bioanalyzer "lab-on-a-chip" technology.
The availability of a low-cost, fast-turnaround, high-quality service is essential to many clinical and hypothesis driven projects within the Nemours Biomedical Research department. Operating under strict CLIA guidelines, the service core unit currently supports laboratories offering diagnostic tests for Barth Syndrome, Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous Syndrome, Costello Syndrome, Noonan Syndrome, Feingold Syndrome, Non-Syndromic Neurosensory Deafness, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease, Rett Syndrome and Spinal Muscular Atrophy
BCL offers free consultations on project design and management, and data troubleshooting. Support is available, as needed, for writing grant applications and preparing manuscripts. BCL offers educational activities for staff and students of all ages and support the development of new research projects.
The laboratory is outfitted with a PSQ96 MA Pyrosequencer, an ABI 310 Capillary Genetic Analyzer, an ABI 3130 XL 16 Capillary Genetic Analyzer, an ABI 7900 Real-Time PCR System outfitted with a 384 well block, a Biomek 2000 robotic workstation, a Strategene Robocycler Gradient 96 PCR machine, Core thermocyclers (PE9700, PE9600, and PE2400), Nanodrop ND-1000 spectrophotometer; Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer; PowerMac and PC computers.
Core Location
The Biomolecular Core Laboratory is presently located across the street from the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children on the 2nd floor of the Rockland Center One building in Room 214.
Operating Hours
Operating hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Access to shared technologies can be made available after hours and on weekends upon request.