The WEHI Advanced Genomics Facility 

WEHI Genomics is set up primarily to provide the very best support for WEHI researchers engaged in research using genomics approaches. 

We also work with institutional partners and selected collaborators around the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct to lower the financial and logistical barriers to entry into advanced genomics. 

We operate at several levels: 

1. Platform access: WEHI researchers may access some of our platforms to undertake their own experiments. 
2. Transactional: We offer sequencing of users’ libraries on several platforms on a cost-recovery basis.
3. Service projects: We make available a range of validated technologies on a cost-recovery basis. Our R&D team may contribute to the implementation of complex projects. 
4. Technology acquisition: We work with WEHI scientists and external partners to identify, prioritise and acquire new platforms, aiming to maximise the co-ordinated availability of genomics technologies locally. 
5. Technology development and refinement: Our R&D team is active in adopting, modifying and validating genomics applications and we operate a limited program to develop novel applications from scratch. 

For general queries about our activities and interests, please e-mail Dr Rory Bowden.

Genomics Hub 

The WEHI Advanced Genomics Platforms Team operates a suite of sequencing and other genomics instruments, including Illumina MiSeq and NextSeq 500, Oxford Nanopore PromethION, MGI and PacBio Sequel, alongside 10x Genomics Chromium and MissionBio Tapestri. 

We provide sequencing as a service to internal users, for Cellular Genomics projects, and on a limited basis to external researchers. 

Please contact Dr Stephen Wilcox for more information. 

Cellular Genomics 

The Cellular Genomics Projects Team, formerly SCORE, provides single-cell and spatial omics, high-throughput transcriptomics and other advanced genomics capacity to WEHI researchers, institutional partners and selected collaborators around the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.

We operate an integrated platform where biologists, technologists and computational biologists collaborate to apply the latest approaches to basic and clinical research questions, often with the assistance of our R&D team. By bringing a full suite of technologies together in one place we lower the financial and logistical barriers to entry into advanced genomics.  

Who can access the Cellular Genomics Projects capability? 

Our advanced genomics technologies and expertise are available to medical and scientific researchers on a cost-recovery basis, under terms that depend on your institution’s affiliation with WEHI and our available capacity. 

Please contact Dr Daniela Zalcenstein to discuss how we can work with you. 

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) 

We offer multiple options for the transcriptomic analysis of collections of single cells. We help researchers identify the protocol and experimental design best suited to their needs and resources, and undertake projects in a highly collaborative environment. A typical project will involve five stages: 

1. Kick-off meeting 
2. Sample submission and processing to library preparation 
3. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) 
4. Data analysis 
5. Closing meeting 

Cellular Genomics platforms and related applications 

• 10X Genomics Chromium: platform for very-high-throughput single-cell analysis, including scRNAseq and scATACseq. For more information visit the 10X genomics website. 
• TotalSeq^TM (CITE-Seq): detection of many cell-surface proteins alongside scRNAseq. Refer to Stoeckius et al., Nat Methods, 2017. For more information on TotalSeq^TM visit the BioLegend website. 
• HashTags: One of several methods for multiplexing (combining several samples in a single experiment), reducing batch variation and decreasing cost.  For more information on HashTags visit the BioLegend website. 
• 10X Visium Spatial Transcriptomics: unbiased RNAseq + spatial tissue context. For more information visit the 10X website. One of several technologies becoming available for spatial genomics. 
• Modified CelSeq2: a plate-based application, suitable for rare cells and small cell populations. It enables the combination of Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) marker and transcriptomic information at the single-cell level (FACS index sorting). For more information refer to Hashimshony et al., Genome Biology, 2016. 
• Mini-Bulk: an application based on modified CelSeq2 for cost-effective, high-throughput RNAseq, for example in population studies, complex perturbation experiments and screening assays. This protocol can use cell lysates instead of purified RNA as a starting material.  

Genomics R&D 

Members of the WEHI Genomics Lab, which hosts the WEHI Advanced Genomics Facility, have a substantial track record of adapting and implementing genomics methodologies and sequencing workflows, both for cellular genomics and in other areas such as pathogen genomics. The R&D Team, alongside the Projects and Platforms Teams, is responsible for the evaluation and introduction of new genomics instrumentation. 

Current areas of R&D priority include:

• sequencing technologies
• spatial methods
• high-throughput screens
• epigenomics
• cohorts
• precision medicine 

The Genomics R&D Team supports a proportion of Cellular Genomics projects that require methods development or validation on a collaborative basis.

We also undertake collaborative proof-of-concept studies in preparation for introducing new technologies and applications, and to support applications for scientific project funding. 

Please contact Dr Rory Bowden to discuss collaborative opportunities.