Technology Platforms 
Genomics Platform
Genomics Platform
Genomics Platform
Pietro Piffanelli - Scientific Coordinator
Valentina Gualdi - Genomics Platform Manager/Quality Manager
Chiara Ferrandi - Genotyping Analysis Manager
Agostino Fricano - DNA Analysis Manager (Plants)
Ilaria Losini - DNA Analysis Manager (Animals)/Qualiy Assistant
Paolo Pavan - Bioanalyst
Miriam Polenghi - Qualified Lab Technician
Valeria Rizzi - Qualified Lab Technician
Valentina Vezzini - Qualified Lab Technician
PTP Genomics Platform (PGP) Presentation
The PTP Genomics Platform (PGP) was set up in collaboration with European's leaders in the field of genomics analysis and automation and offers high-throughput analysis in the field of genomics applied towards the agriculture, food and feed sectors. The PGP was identified by MIUR as the Reference Platform at Italian national level for the automation of genotyping analysis (e.g. fingerprinting) of animal and plant samples. A high level of instrument automation and a sophisticated traceability system for the analyzed samples and obtained results, allows to process up to 800 samples and to perform up to 5.000 analysis per day. Therefore PGP can present itself as a potent new center for the genomic and molecular analysis for:
- guaranteeing the traceability and the security along the production chain in the food, feed and agricultural sectors
- analyzing and preserving the existing bio-diversity in animal and plant species
- certifying the origin and the purity of regional typical products
The PGP Platform carries out the following molecular/genomic analyses:
- Automated purification of nucleic acids from animal, plant and microbial matrices
- Genotyping using molecular markers of animal, plant and microbial samples
- Real-time quantitative gene expression analysis
- Traceability analysis of contaminants (e.g. pathogens) in the food chain
- Development and fine-tuning of diagnostic kits for the food and agricultural sectors
- Creation and management of Bio-repositories (DNA, RNA) of animal and plant samples
On July 5 2007 PGP has obtained from Bureau Veritas the ISO 9001:2000 label for planning, executing and giving assistance in the genotyping of animal and plant samples.
PGP SETUP
 |
 |
 |
| TECAN FREEDOM EVO-150G High-throughput preparation of samples for molecular genomics analysis | AB 3730 High-throughput genotyping analysis using molecular markers (SNPs, SSRs, TILLING) | AB 7900 Quantitative gene expression analysis (Real-Time PCR) and genotyping (allelic discrimination) |
 |
 |
 |
| ABI 9700 Amplification of nucleic acids | EPPENDORF MASTERCYCLERS Amplification of nucleic acids | TECAN FREEDOM EVO-150E Automated extraction and quantification of DNA and RNA |
PGP-LIMS
The PTP Genomics Platform PGP-LIMS(Laboratory Information Management System) is designed and implemented in collaboration with Applied Biosystems (ABI). The SQL*LIMSv5 system was chosen for its high level of flexibility and its web-based interface. An Oracle database stores and tracks data on DNA and RNA samples, genotyping reagents as well as laboratory results. The web client enables the PGP staff to easily view and monitor the generated data, herein assisted by a powerful Oracle reports engine and to send the results via the WEB.
The main features of LIMS are:
- Barcode-assisted tracking of all samples and plates.
- Flexible drag-and-drop mediated plate transfer operations
- Tracking of instrument-generated data (AB 3730, AB 7900, AB 9700, Tecan Freedom Evo 150 E and G)
- Complete auditing and multi-level security
- A web-based graphical user interface with a powerful reporting engine
