Geisinger Clinic Genomics Core 

The Geisinger Clinic Genomics Core (GCGC) was established in July, 2004 to support genomics projects at the Geisinger Clinic. A major goal has been to initiate genomics research based upon the unique aspects of the clinical populations at Geisinger. Infrastructure was established for collecting, processing, and analyzing blood/tissue, DNA, RNA, and serum/plasma samples from patients across the Geisinger Clinic service area. With robotic DNA/RNA processing and Affymetrix and ABI genotyping capabilities, a wide range of clinical genomics projects are supported by the GCGC.

Personnel

Glenn S. Gerhard, MD.
Director, GCGC
Staff Scientist, Weis Center for Research
Associate Medical Director, Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory

Xin Chu, PhD
Technical Director, GCGC
Research Scientist, Weis Center for Research

GCGC Services

  • Blood/tissue processing
  • DNA/RNA/protein purification
  • Sample storage and tracking
  • Tissue access and management
  • Genotyping/Gene Expression/Proteomics

GCGC Instrumentation

Sample Management:

  • Freezerworks repository software, bar code scanner, bar code printer

Automated DNA/RNA purification:

SNP Genotyping:

  • ABI 7300 Taqman Real Time PCR
  • LightCycler Real Time PCR

High Density Genotyping:

  • Affymetrix GeneChip hybridization oven 640, Fluidics Station 450 and GeneArray scanner 3000
  • Affymetrix upgrade for 100K/500K SNP Chips

Geisinger Clinic patient population

  • 2.5 million people within Geisinger Clinic service region
  • 1.3 million office visits/yr~ 55% primary care
  • 600,000 with Geisinger primary care MD
  • High geographic stability
  • Electronic medical record
  • Archive of historical data
  • Prospective data collection
  • Well defined clinical pathways
  • Uniform laboratory methods

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

  • IRB approved projects
  • Retrospective and prospective data and sample collection
  • Confidentiality
  • Physically separate databases for genotype and phenotype data
  • Access to samples
  • Geisinger maintains “control” of samples
  • HIPAA compliant datasets

GCGC supported projects

  • Severe Asthma
  • Bone Mineral Density
  • Large Scale BioBanking
  • Obesity
  • Schizophrenia
  • Familial ureterocoele
  • Spitz Nevus
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Digoxin/Phenytoin toxicity
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
  • Overactive Bladder Syndrome