Haris Choudhery

4 considerations for choosing the right RNA-sequencing partner

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RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was developed over a decade ago and has since become a crucial tool in molecular biology that has shaped nearly every aspect of our understanding of genomic function. This is because it provides scientists with insights into previously undetected changes occurring in disease states, under different environmental conditions, in response to therapeutics and across a wide range of other study designs. However, due to the specialist knowledge needed and high costs associated with procuring and maintaining RNA-Seq platforms, many companies and groups are unable to purchase the required platforms to sequence their samples. In response to this, more and more investigators are turning to companies that can provide RNA-Seq services instead. Generally, the workflow is as follows:

  1. After agreeing to how the samples should be sequenced, the client sends them to the service provider
  2. The service provider will then sequence the samples as per the clients’ requested sequencing parameters
  3. The service provider sends the raw data and (if they have the ability) the analysis report to the client

Unfortunately, not all companies who provide such services are equal in their offering and not having the right considerations in place before you work with them can result in a loss of time and resources. In this article, we outline four key considerations before outsourcing your samples for RNA-Sequencing.

  1. Level of expertise and offerings

First, it should be noted that every service provider who offers RNA-Seq services will have different Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology platforms to process your samples on. Moreover, some service providers are offered an opportunity to become “Certified Service Providers” for a specific vendor, but only after they have met their rigorous analytical standards. Having a service provider who is also a CSP ensures that the scientists who are handling your samples are highly trained, capable and have the highest level of expertise. To learn more about certified service providers click here.

Another aspect of expertise that varies between service providers is the ability to provide data analysis and assist in experimental design. Sampled prides itself on aiding researchers who are either new, or unsure of, the best approach to take as it pertains to RNA-Seq. This level of assurance is crucial for investigators who are scaling up their research because it allows them to obtain their data efficiently, without wasting time or resources.

In addition to finding certified service providers, expertise is important for when you require specific types of data analysis. Examples include single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq), analysis or whole-genome analysis (structural variants, copy number variation, etc.). Not all companies have a bioinformatics team or platform to assist with data analysis which is a part of the service which would be crucial for investigators who are inexperienced with sequencing.  

When considering single cell RNA sequencing designs, one of the most common challenges is the ability to capture the gene expression profile of individual cells so that the sequencing data appropriately reflects the activity of the cells at their time of collection. This is critical when performing time-lapse experiments that require cells collected at different time points, yet require a singular sequencing run.

At Sampled, we offer clients the ability to transport their samples to us for scRNA-seq using the HIVE solution™. HIVE is a portable, handheld, single-use device that enables gentle capture, robust storage, and easy processing for the analysis of single-cell samples. This kind of capability is vital to biotechs who, are either new to scRNA-Seq, or are unable to leverage their samples the way they need to. To learn more about HIVE click here.

Scientist in lab with Sequel system close-up

2. Turnaround times for RNA-Sequencing projects

Research is moving faster than ever, and it is imperative that researchers meet deadlines and deliver on time. Depending on the level of work to be undertaken, some service providers may not be able to sequence samples as quickly as others. The need for nucleic acid extraction, processing, number of samples/batches, and downstream analysis can affect overall turnaround time. Typically, 100-200 samples that undergo routine sequencing can take 3-4 weeks and if there are changes to the project design affecting the number of samples and require additional work, more time is required.

At Sampled, we account for these unexpected occurrences and have been an infrastructure with redundant capabilities including multiple short-read sequencers, duplicate PacBio long-read sequencers, and multiple liquid handlers for library preparations. In addition, we also have an automated workflow for 10X single-cell genomics processing. This allows for numerous samples to be added into a production queue in a timely manner. By having a wide array of platforms in duplicate or even triplicate, we can provide turnaround times of as short as 2 weeks for certain projects should they need to be expedited.

3. CLIA approved services

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulate laboratory testing and require clinical laboratories to be certified by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) before they can accept human samples for diagnostic testing. Laboratories can obtain multiple types of CLIA certificates, based on the kinds of diagnostic tests they conduct. Labs that are involved in clinical trials are able to outsource their research to service providers but require them to be CLIA certified. Sampled has numerous CLIA approved assays which allows researchers to be compliant with federal regulations when working with samples that are involved in clinical trials.

4. Expenditure

While pricing for different services will inevitably vary, there are ways of potentially reducing costs and saving overall on the budget allocated for operational costs. Sampled offers a wide array of services beyond NGS, including data analysis and long-term storage capabilities (including cell lines and DNA/RNA samples). Rather than storing the samples yourself after they have been processed, it could be cheaper to store them with the lab that ran the sequencing instead. Sampled offers a wide range of biorepository solutions as well as downstream processing services that can be bundled to potentially save expenditure to labs that may require these services. To learn more about our wide range of storage solutions, click here.

Selecting the right sequencing partner can be tricky, which is why at Sampled our experts work with clients to ensure that the right platforms and experimental design are selected based on their needs. If you would like to talk to a member of our team to learn more, click here to get in touch with us.

A guide to working with stem cells: 4 benchmarks you need to consider when validating your iPSCs

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Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from human somatic cells hold massive potential for research into disease-modelling, drug toxicity testing and in regenerative medicine. Thus, as the use of patient-derived stem cells has become more frequently adopted, having a workflow to monitor each cell line is critical. For these reasons, it is imperative that they pass a series of quality control measures to promote reproducibility across experiments and between labs.

To consider these needs, a multistep workflow to assess newly generated iPSCs is vital to test four critical benchmarks:

  1. Viability and sterility of cells
  2. Genetic abnormalities
  3. Stemness
  4. Pluripotency (ability to differentiate into the three germ layers)

Testing the sterility

Before using any type of cell line for research it is necessary to ensure that the cells in question are viable and are not contaminated. The biggest entry of species such as Mycoplasma into cell lines are from non-sterilizable cell culture reagents and laboratory personnel. M. orale, M. fermentans, and M. hominis account for more than half of all mycoplasma infections in cell cultures and are found in oropharyngeal tracts1. Two other species that are known to be prevalent in laboratories are M. arginini and A. laidlawii which can be found in Fetal Bovine Serum and swine-derived Trypsin solutions. Unfortunately, mycoplasma implies resistance against penicillin and can pass 0.2μm sterility filters2. This makes it extremely difficult to eradicate mycoplasma infections, furthermore numerous research laboratories do not test for it on a regular basis.  At Sampled however, all iPSC lines are tested for mycoplasma.

G-banded karyotyping and testing for genetic abnormalities

Once the cells have been tested for sterility, it is then necessary to test for genetic abnormalities that could have been introduced into the cells’ DNA during the reprogramming process or induced through culture, giving certain cells a growth advantage. Advances in the field have led to “foot-print-free” reprogramming methods that do not result in reprogramming factor integration, but these new methods do not preclude culture induced genetic mutations. Regardless of which method your iPSCs have been derived, if the cells’ DNA has been compromised, the cells may not be fully functional or perform inadequately.

Furthermore, long-term iPSCs culture can result in chromosomal abnormalities, modification of gene expression, as well as increases the risk of the iPSCs becoming tumorigenic. Since genomic alterations present potential risks in downstream applications, it is important to monitor the genomic integrity of these iPSCs lines especially in iPSCs intended for therapeutic use. It is for these reasons that iPSC karyotype analysis is necessary not just at the start, but throughout your investigation.

stem cells

Measuring stemness

Immunostaining alone is inefficient at determining stemness since it is difficult to quantify immunostaining results over an entire culture.  At Sampled, we quantitate a large range of stemness markers using Pluritest. This assay uses a the Affymetrix PrimeView Global Gene Expression Array to confirm the undifferentiated state of human pluripotent stem cells.

Fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis (FACS) is another useful method that is commonly employed to measure stemness by measuring expression of stemness markers quantitatively over a large population. FACS relies on the binding of highly specific antibodies tagged with fluorescent dyes to cells expressing stemness markers such as Oct4, Tra-1-60, etc.

Measuring differentiation potential

Lastly, the iPSC’s ability to differentiate into the three germ layers (Ectoderm, Endoderm and Mesoderm layers) ought to be measured before they can be utilized by investigations. In order to test this, the cells need to first be differentiated into Embryoid bodies (EBs). Once the cells have undergone differentiation, the cells are then harvested for gene expression analysis by qPCR and analyzed to ensure that genes specific to all 3 germ layers are expressed.

Is there an easier way to validate your Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells?

It may be daunting for a small or scaling biotech to conduct the tests outlined above before they even begin to start working with these cells. At Sampled, we offer robust quality control services, that can be bundled as part of a package or as bespoke services that includes:

  • Sterility testing of all lines includes mycoplasma testing
  • Identity verification using the SNPTrace™ Panel
  • Analysis of stemness by FACS
  • Demonstration of stemness by Pluritest
  • Demonstration of differentiation potential by hPSC scorecard
  • Assessment of genomic stability by G-banded karyotyping
  • Demonstration of loss of Sendai virus after reprogramming by qPCR

Our highly trained scientists perform these tests to the highest standard and could save your lab time and resources so that you can focus on the research that matters to you the most. If you would like to speak to one of our experts today about validating your stem cells, contact us today.

References

  1. Pamies, D., Bal-Price, A., Simeonov, A., Tagle, D., Allen, D., Gerhold, D., Yin, D., Pistollato, F., Inutsuka, T., Sullivan, K. and Stacey, G., 2017. Good cell culture practice for stem cells and stem-cell-derived models. Alternatives to Animal Experimentation: ALTEX, 34(1), pp.95-132.
  2. Bruchmüller, I., Pirkl, E., Herrmann, R., Stoermer, M., Eichler, H., Klüter, H. and Bugert, P., 2006. Introduction of a validation concept for a PCR-based Mycoplasma detection assay. Cytotherapy, 8(1), pp.62-69.

DNA Extraction 4 Point Guide: Extracting Excellence

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DNA extraction and purification is a vital step involved in several molecular biology and genomics-based research methods. This is because it determines the quality of your samples for downstream experiments. Without high quality, pure DNA samples to work from, researchers run the risk of getting erroneous results in their subsequent investigations. In this article we break down what is involved in this process and four of the biggest challenges that face researchers when attempting to extract DNA from their samples.

DNA extraction involves isolating sufficient amounts of genomic/plasmid DNA from samples (which are often precious and/or irreplaceable). After you have extracted DNA from your samples it is not yet ready for experimentation, a purification step is also necessary. Purifying your samples is crucial since it reduces the contaminants (lipids and proteins) present in your DNA samples that can compromise your research and reduce their “shelf-life” for future experimentation.

A simplified workflow for DNA extraction:

Lyse your cell/tissue samples using the most appropriate method for your samples. This could include mechanical disruption, chemically treating cells or enzymatic digestions.

Once samples are lysed, nucleic acids are isolated from contaminants using a suitable buffer solution and are either filtered, centrifuged or magnetically cleared.

The soluble fraction of the lysate is then treated to obtain purified DNA. One common method involves the addition of magnetic beads that have a matrix coating that binds to DNA present the lysate fraction.

The magnetic beads, now bound to DNA, are then removed and washed with a solution that removes lipids and unwanted proteins to purify the samples.

A charge is applied to the magnetic beads that changes their polarity and separates the DNA collected from the beads, the magnetic beads are removed leaving purified samples.

DNA Extraction performed on Perkin Elmer Chemagic 360

What are the challenges facing DNA extraction?

Most commercial labs require DNA for their downstream applications such as PCR and molecular cloning. However, they may also have limited supplies of cell/tissue samples which means that optimizing the extraction from their limited resources becomes key to successful downstream applications. The four biggest challenges to overcome in this process can be largely summarized as:

  1. The need for automation
  2. Employing high-throughput solutions
  3. Saving time
  4. Lack of expertise

Automation

Labs that are scaling up, or looking to scale up, can turn to automation to streamline their experiments and increase data output. The same principle can be applied to this process since the advantages of automation are hard to argue with. By selecting a platform such as Perkin Elmer’s Chemagic 360 instrument, researchers can step away from manually extracting DNA from samples and save time whilst minimizing the number of human errors seen in these workflows. Automation is costly however, since not only are you having to pay high prices to outright purchase the automated platform, but there are also lab space concerns and the extra overhead involved such as maintenance and annual service fees.

High-throughput solutions

Similarly, labs that are scaling up or ones that deal with large numbers of samples inevitably require platforms with High-throughput solutions to keep up with their increasing sample count. A platform that can deal with large volumes of samples will also almost always be an automated one and so the two features are complimentary. Taking a look at Perkin Elmer’s Chemagic 360 platform as an example, the platform is capable of being able to process 12x 10ml samples, 24x 2ml samples or 96 well plates with 400ul volumes with ease. The platform’s ability to handle a wide range of volumes means that it can be used as a “one-stop shop” for DNA extraction since it means one instrument can handle a wide variety of sample types. This saves time for researchers since they only need to become familiar with one platform, however this optimization requires intensive training and experience to be invested by individuals and teams.

Saving time

This process can take hours of active and passive work by researchers. In many cases researchers actively spend hours extracting and purifying samples between overnight incubation periods. Saving time is another important feature of automated, high-throughput platforms. Typically, a researcher spends 3 hours of overall “hands-on time” to extract DNA from large sample volumes such as 12x 10ml samples of blood. For the same number and volume of samples, automated platforms can perform the process in under 2 hours. Moreover, for samples with volumes of 400ul or below, it can take up to 6 hours to extract by hand, whereas an automated platform can successfully achieve this goal in just over an hour. Saving time in this manner allows researchers to focus on other aspects of their research as well as allowing them to start experiments which require purified DNA, much faster.

Lack of expertise

Not all samples can be treated the same way. Even though most cell/tissue samples can have DNA extracted from them easily and using automated platforms, there are always exceptions. Samples derived from mouse tails for example sometimes require phase separation steps to be completed which means employing methods that require “salting out” DNA. Even if you have samples that can be worked with easily, a batch of cells/tissue that has not been optimally stored or have even undergone some degradation will likewise require to be salted out in order to obtain pure DNA. The question must be addressed: Is it better to optimize methods to salt out DNA yourself or is it smarter to outsource the whole process to a company who can deliver processed samples on-time and efficiently.

DNA extraction at Sampled

With decades of experience and a success rate of over 99.9% for DNA extraction, the Sampled team are ready to accept your samples no matter how large or small your sample volumes and quantities are. We have multiple automated, high-throughput platforms such as Perkin Elmer’s Chemagic 360 and Qiagen’s Qia Symphony instruments that can take multiple different sample types and volumes depending on your needs. By outsourcing your needs to us, you can spend more time on the research that matters to you and not have to sacrifice bench space and costs towards scaling up lab processes.

Our experts are ready to take any questions you may have or discuss bespoke DNA extraction workflows with you, for more information click here

Do you want to set up lab space, or move research projects forward faster?

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According to data collected by Bidwells, a property consultancy that focuses on the Oxbridge knowledge economy, almost zero lab space was available in June, across Oxford and Cambridge, UK1. Chief executives and investors have cautioned that the lab space shortage in the “Oxford-Cambridge arc” is forcing companies to look abroad to cities such as Boston in the US, which have a much greater availability of space available. However, even in the United States readily available lab space is becoming increasingly difficult to come by. Several life science groups across major life science hubs have cited that commercial real estate is not keeping up with the demand of the scientific ecosystem2.

In the UK this was the result of a massive surge in demand by almost a quarter in the first half of 20221. This property data raises large concerns about the UK’s ability to capitalize on a surge of interest in its life sciences sector. Research director at Bidwells, Sue Foxley, stated that the shortage is worse than anything she has seen before, with many companies being forced to lease office and other commercial space before refitting them as laboratories:

“The government has grand ambitions to transform Britain into a scientific superpower, but the Oxford-Cambridge arc is at threat of becoming a victim of its own meteoric rise, with the unicorns of tomorrow increasingly being locked out of mission-critical R&D space.” she told the Financial Times2.

Rentable spaces can see significant wait lists, rigorous vetting processes and high rent rates that challenge start-ups and research groups that wish to expand rapidly. These factors could slow growth and innovation due to a restriction of access to the right resources and technologies3.

Empy lab in need of setting up

In the long term, greater investment in creating laboratory space and offices is required, however this will take a huge amount of investment from governments and organizations and could take many years to complete. Unfortunately, this solution doesn’t help many laboratory managers who are in desperate need of bench space right now. Where time and overheads are an issue, working with an external service provider could be an effective solution for those looking to move their research projects forwards faster.

With facilities across both the US and UK, as well as partner labs in The Netherlands, China and Australia as well as nearly 25 years’ experience in handling biological samples, Sampled are here to support researchers with a range of services.

Why set up your own lab space? Use Sampled SMART Labs Outsourced Biorepository & Lab Services

As one of the worlds largest biorepositories, Sampled store over 11.5 million samples for researchers worldwide that could mitigate the resources and ongoing the ongoing investment that may be required when setting up your own biobank4. From small collections provided in a variety of labware formats through to providing storage for your own freezers/LN2 tanks on our premises, Sampled has the expertise and flexibility to protect sample integrity and chain of custody documentation. Our facilities are also equipped to mitigate risks from environmental factors and feature redundancies such as back-up generators and Liquid Nitrogen supply back-ups.

Sampled Lab featuring Perkin Elmer Chmagic 360

Saving on floor space and preserving sample integrity are not the only reasons to consider outsourcing services. The value of the insights gained from your biological samples is also dependent on access to the right technologies, Sampled SMART Labs are set up to provide access to a wide range of technology providers such as; Perkin Elmer, Illumina, ThermoFisher, Standard BioTools and many other leading technologies.

If you have biologic samples you need to Store, Manage, Analyze, Research or Transport, Sampled has the facilities and expertise ready to support you today. Get in touch with one of our experts here.

Sources:

  1. Bidwells report: https://www.bidwells.co.uk/what-we-think/arc-market-databook-cambridgeshire-offices-and-labs-summer-2021/
  2. Financial Times article- Lab space shortage threatens life science boom in Oxford and Cambridge: https://www.ft.com/content/397a75aa-3047-432e-8664-d1974fbb05df
  3. Entrepreneur article- The Shortage of Lab Space in the United States Is Stifling Innovation: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/424975
  4. Frontiers in Medicine Article – Automated Sample Storage in Biobanking to Enhance Translational Research: The Bumpy Road to Implementation: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338482409_Automated_Sample_Storage_in_Biobanking_to_Enhance_Translational_Research_The_Bumpy_Road_to_Implementation

Managing success: How sample management can make or break a business

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It goes without saying that executing accurate and reproducible scientific research is at the heart of any successful research group or biotech. However, as research progresses so inevitably does the number of cell/tissue samples increase from a manageable level to thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of samples. At a certain point a limit is reached whereby the number of samples that must be stored or managed simultaneously becomes too much to handle internally. Having an endless sea of cells in a spreadsheet, or worse, multiple spreadsheets that are each updated without proper cross-communication, could easily lead to samples being misplaced. How academic groups and businesses manage their ever-increasing numbers of samples from various studies invariably becomes a hurdle to overcome for their continued success.

Why rigorous sample management matters

When academic groups and scaling biotech companies grow, the obvious hurdle that they must overcome is how to scale their sample management appropriately. This means at a certain point in time, it is no longer feasible for them to rely on one or more scientists to spend ever increasing amounts of time barcoding, labeling and digitally storing the information on a spreadsheet. What if the spreadsheet isn’t updated correctly? What if the file becomes corrupted and information is lost? These are frighteningly common situations that could spell disaster as precious samples that cannot be replaced become unidentifiable forever.

Not only is there an increasing amount of time dedicated to correctly labelling, sorting and storing samples, the time and resources dedicated to sample processing also increases greatly too. For example, blood samples would need to be fractionated into constituent components, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells, plasma or serum and red blood cells. Each fraction would then have to be cryopreserved under controlled conditions and stored. Likewise, for DNA and RNA samples extracted from tissues (e.g., blood) concentration, purity and identity must be determined prior to storage. These bioprocessing steps require more time and resources as the number of samples increases.

These are just a few reasons many companies and research groups turn to Sampled to manage and store samples on their behalf. Sampled utilizes LIMS software to ensure that each time a sample is handled, analyzed or stored, the sample is scanned via its barcode and the activity is logged. Tracking the chain of custody from the moment a sample is picked up from a client’s lab to the moment it is stored in a freezer ensures full transparency and great precision in real time.

Navigating the maze of shipping samples

It is well known that sample handling errors almost always occur in the field, this can be because a phlebotomist has mislabeled a blood sample, for example. It is therefore necessary to have the staff and resources to be able to understand how these errors occur as well as what the regulatory and customs agencies of various countries require for efficient shipping. Most scaling businesses simply cannot dedicate the required staff or time to deal with these inevitable hiccups which is where Sampled can help. Since we have trained staff on hand, we take care of all shipping and handling to remove the headache of paperwork from businesses so they can focus on what they do best. Our staff prepare customized kits for clients so that they simply fill the pre-barcoded sample vessels and ship them in the appropriate cryovessel we provide. Using our LIMS system, we can ensure that the correct samples arrive at the right place at the right time. At each stage the samples are scanned to ensure a clear chain of custody which is crucial for certain clients such as those looking to capture this data for clinical trials.

In short, Sampled can make a real impact by correctly managing and even storing client’s samples using properly trained staff and LIMS software. In doing so, researchers focus on the important research that matters, instead of tracking down lost samples or wasting time on the phone talking to customs agents.

If you would like to contact one of our experts about how Sampled provide sample management solutions that are tailor-made to your research, click here

Autism Acceptance Month

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April is Autism Acceptance Month, starting with Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd. On March 4, 2021, The Autism Society of America made an important verbiage change – what was once Autism Awareness Month is now officially known as Autism Acceptance Month.

Autism is one of the leading developmental disabilities in the world, affecting 1 in 44 people, and if diagnosed by age 4, children are 50 times more likely to receive services and care that they need. As it is a spectrum disorder with many varying behaviors and symptoms, the care needed is unique to the individual’s needs. This is why Autism awareness, and most importantly acceptance, is so important – those with autism are able to lead full and rich lives with their diagnoses. The Autism Society strives “to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully,” and has been for 57 years. This is their 4th year in a row promoting the #CelebrateDifferences campaign, aiming to inform, educate, and connect those in need with the appropriate resources to live a full life. The Autism Society of America website is a wealth of resources, so if you’re looking to get involved, donate, or promote Autism Acceptance within your own community, they are a great place to start: autismsociety.org/autism-acceptance-month.

Key Autism Stats

  • Defined as “Spectrum Condition” as it has a certain set of behaviors that affect different individuals to varying degrees
  • Affects 1 in 44 children in the US according to CDC studies
  • Can be diagnosed as early as age 2, most are diagnosed after age 4
  • ⅓ of autistic children also have an intellectual disability
  • 31% of children with autism have an intellectual disability, 25% are in the borderline range, 44% have IQ scores in the average to above average range 
  • Affects all people, across ethnic and socioeconomic groups, though minorities tend to be diagnosed later and less often
  • 40% of people with autism are nonverbal
  • Nearly half “wander” or “bolt from safety”
  • Nearly 28% have self-injurious behaviors – headbanging, arm biting, skin scratching
  • Boys are 4 times as likely to develop autism as girls their age. Recent research suggests girls show signs of autism differently than boys, possibly leading to a lower rate of diagnosis.
  • Children who are diagnosed with autism by age 4 are 50x more likely to receive services
  • No known cure, but treatments are available to reduce symptoms
  • “Autism” derives from the Greek word “autos” meaning self – “Autism” is defined as “alone”
  • Research indicates genetics are involved in the majority of autism cases
Forwards, Faster.

Sampled working with key Autism organizations

Here at Sampled, we are immensely proud to be able to support two of the leading research centres that investigate the genetic causes of autism. Sampled initially began working with Autism Speaks in 1998 and then began working with The Simons Foundation in 2007 and have since maintained close ties with both groups.

The Simons Foundation established the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) with a mission to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding innovative research of the highest quality and relevance. With Sampled’s labs, the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) was developed as the gold standard of collecting and safely storing thousands of DNA samples associated with detailed phenotypic data from parents and children. In an effort that continues to this day, this collection of samples has enabled researchers to identify a number of genes that have the potential to yield valuable insights into the causes of and potential therapies for autism.

By working closely with Autism Speaks, Sampled was able to participate in the launch of the Autism Genetic Research Exchange (AGRE). AGRE is an collection of DNA samples processed by Sampled that have been sequenced and analyzed by researchers around the world. It is the largest private, open-access repository of clinical and genetic information dedicated to help autism research. Research on the samples in these two collections resulted in the publication of hundreds of papers advancing our understanding of the genetic components in autism and related behavioural disorders.

If you are interested in the work we do in Autism or other developmental disabilities, reach out to a member of our team today here.

Autism Society:

-National Today:

-Autism Speaks:

-AGRE:

-Simons Foundation: