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CGRC
RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE
The CGRC provides four key research resources:
- Laboratory facilities and expertise to conduct all
aspects of DNA extraction, sample preparation, characterization and
analysis.
- Isolation facilities for DNA and RNA extraction
from a variety of biological samples
- Dedicated Ancient DNA/degraded sample processing
and handling facilities
- DNA and RNA quantification (Nanodrop, Picogreen
Assay (Beckman DTX-880), Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, Q-PCR)
- PCR-based tests and DNA amplification
- Microsatellite and SNP marker library generation
by new low-cost, rapid mass-sequencing technologies
- State-of-the-art DNA/cDNA sequencing and
genotyping equipment (UCLA Genetic, Gene Expression and
Microarray Core facilities):
·
Two ABI 3730XL Capillary
Sequencers
· Roche GS-FLX (454) Titanium Mass Sequencer
·
Two Illumina (Solexa) Genome Sequencers
· ABI
SOLiD v3 Genome Sequencer
·
Affymetrix and Agilent Microarray Scanners
· ABI 7900HT Q/RT-PCR System
·
Roche 480 Lightcycler Q/RT-PCR
System · Qiagen QIAxcel Digital
Electrophoresis System
- Expertise in all aspects of study
design, characterization and analysis of molecular data for
conservation applications.
- Complete computational facilities and software for
data analysis
- Training and education in all aspects
of DNA characterization and analysis.
- Long-term repository of genetic samples in
conjunction with the UCLA Dickey
Collection of Birds and Mammals
- Curation and storage of frozen tissues collection
of genetic materials (tissue, blood, feathers, hair, feces etc.)
- Ultra-freeze (-80°C) and -20°C storage
- The CGRC has amassed possibly the largest frozen
collection of bird feathers in the world preserved for genetic and
isotopic studies to support wildlife conservation applications.
- The frozen feather collection consists of over 84,000
feathers of neotropical migratory birds representing 43 U.S. states,
Canada, Mexico, 8 Central American and 2 South American countries;
and over 2,400 feathers from Central Africa. The collection is being
expanded at the rate of 10,000 to 20,000 samples per year:
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FEATHER
SAMPLES (as of Aug 2009)
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Country
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No. Samples
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No. Species
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The Americas
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Argentina
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170
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12
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Belize
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90
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20
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Canada
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1,731
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68
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Costa Rica
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2,062
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58
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Ecuador
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9,534
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593
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El Salvador
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78
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11
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Guatemala
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544
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74
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Honduras
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82
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18
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Jamaica
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225
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11
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Mexico
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3,253
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210
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Nicaragua
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141
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20
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Panama
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89
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19
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United States (43 states)
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66,643
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301
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Total
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84,476
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Country
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No. Samples
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No. Species
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Africa
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Cameroon
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2,095
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139
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Ivory Coast
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110
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26
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Uganda
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212
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37
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Total
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2,417
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- The frozen feather collection is readily available to
researchers outside of UCLA and we frequently make loans to
researchers for genetic and isotopic studies
- We are in the process of making the feather collection
database available on-line in conjunction with the UCLA Dickey
Collection, in the meantime we ask that you email us with your
queries and loan requests
- Feather loan requestors must have any required sample
holding and import permits (e.g. US Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) permit for the specific species
requested, if required
- The frozen tissue collection also over 12,000 avian
blood samples from the Americas and >7,700 from Central Africa
- In addition to the avian frozen tissue collection, the
CGRC has a frozen tissue/blood collection of over 4,300 samples for a
number of mammals of significant conservation concern, including:
- Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) -
520 samples
- African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) - 225 samples
- A remarkably broad collection of the Gray wolf (Canis
lupus) (> 1,500 samples) across its worldwide distribution of
North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia
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