A 16-month countdown is running on the automated DNA extraction system that serves over 100,000 participants in the UK’s most influential birth-cohort studies. The existing machine will lose manufacturer support, and its separate DNA-concentration step requires manual handling that risks user error. Without a replacement, the Bristol Bioresource Laboratories (BBL) cannot maintain the high-quality DNA samples needed for large-scale genetics research. BBL supplies DNA to projects such as the cross-cohort exome sequencing at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, which has already processed over 65,000 samples from ALSPAC, Born in Bradford, and the Millennium Cohort Study in the past two years. The new Hamilton STARplus Promega system will combine extraction and quantification into one automated workflow, cutting running costs and eliminating the manual step. This keeps the pipeline running for the thousands of researchers worldwide who rely on BBL samples—data from ALSPAC alone has contributed to over 3,000 scientific publications. The equipment itself is infrastructure, not a discovery. But without it, the quiet machinery that turns cheek swabs and blood spots into the genetic data underpinning population health research would grind to a halt.
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This grant is requesting a replacement for an aging automated DNA extraction system currently in use in the Bristol Bioresource Laboratories (BBL). The BBL team have considerable experience of creating and managing large collections of DNA samples for Population Health Research. BBL is currently custodian of samples from over 100,000 participants. The majority of these are from world renown longitudinal birth cohorts including the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), the Cleft Collective and the Born in Bradford study (BIB). In addition, BBL manage samples for national population cohort studies such as the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (1946 birth cohort), the 1958 National Child Development study (NCDS) and the Millenium Cohort Study (MCS). The team also process DNA for several research teams working on specific clinical research projects within the University of Bristol. Once processed DNA samples are used to produce genotype and epigenetic data, some in house and some by external laboratories such as the Wellcome Sanger Institute. In the last two years BBL have supplied over 65,000 DNA samples from ALSPAC, BIB and MCS to the Sanger Institute for a high profile, cross cohort, exome sequencing project. The impact of the genetics data generated from samples from BBL is far reaching. This is because the data generated by cohort studies are resources for the scientific community and data is used by researchers across the world. As an example, over 3,000 scientific publications have included data from the ALSPAC study of which ~50% have utilised data generated from samples held in BBL. The extensive use of data which originates from BBL samples requires high quality standards. The BBL team have a demonstrated commitment to providing a high quality service as illustrated by their ISO9001 certified quality management system. This in turn requires well maintained up to date equipment. DNA is currently extracted from samples using an automated system which will become unsupported by the manufacturer in the next 16 months. Concentration of the DNA is currently measured on a separate automated system requiring manual intervention in the process which increases the chance of user error. We are therefore requesting funds to purchase a bespoke Hamilton STARplus Promega automated DNA extraction and quantification system. This will replace two existing systems with one improved, more up to date model. In summary obtaining this new equipment will improve efficiency, reduce the possibility of errors and by reducing the number of systems required reduce running costs. This will enable BBL to continue the generation of high quality DNA samples for use in world renown Population Health Research.
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