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Frequently Asked Questions

Molecular Biology Core

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Some of the answer are brief, but if there is another page on the site contains more detailed information you can click the question to be redirected.

If you don't see your question, email us at mbcfgenomics@mailman.dfci.harvard.edu and we'll get back to you.

 

How do I place a request? 

  • Register an iLab account
  • Place electronic iLab Request
  • Drop off (clearly labeled) samples
  • Await notification that results are available

See our iLab Submission Guide for more information.

 

Where can I drop off my samples?

There are 3 drop off locations:

  1. The “Fish Room” located near the 3rd floor elevator of the Smith building (SM300C). For access call security at 617-632-3131 and they can open the door remotely. 

  2. Directly to the Molecular Biology Core Facilities on the 4th floor of the Dana-Farber Fenway campus at 21-27 Burlington Ave.

  3. FedEx

Find more information on how to submit samples.

 

What is the turnaround time? 

Turnaround time varies depending on the specific service request and to a lesser extent the number of samples in the project. In general, turnaround time is 3-4 weeks from the time samples are received in the lab. However, for more specialized less common library prep methods and very large projects (100s of samples), turnaround time will typically be longer. 

 

Where is the MBCF located?

On the 4th floor of the Dana-Farber Fenway campus (near the ballpark) at 21-27 Burlington Ave.

 

How do I collect my data?

Find more information on data transfer and storage policies.
 

How should I acknowledge the core? 

Thanks for asking!

  1. If you utilized the NovaSeq X Plus, you must acknowledge the shared instrumentation grant (SIG) as follows: This work utilized an Illumina NovaSeq X Plus that was purchased with funding from a National Institutes of Health SIG grant 1S10OD036228-01.
  2. In the methods section: “(service) was performed by the Molecular Biology Core Facilities at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.” (Please contact us if you need help writing methods for work performed by MBCF)
  3. If you were especially thrilled with work perform by the MBCF or you would like to acknowledge the efforts of a specific member of the core, add a line in the acknowledgements section. “We thank ______ from the Molecular Biology Core Facilities at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for ____”
  4. If a core staff member has made a substantial contribution to the conception, design, analysis and/or interpretation of the data, authorship may be appropriate.
  5. If you are a Harvard University Center for AIDS Research member (CFAR), follow these instructions.