Users

Review the following steps for help on how to start a project with the HTGC

Determine your project needs

Feel free to contact us at any time before, during, or after your project to talk through your needs and how we can best help you achieve your desired outcomes.

Obtain a quote
  • You can review the pricing on this website at any time. 
  • You can contact us.
  • Whether you are internal to the University of Pittsburgh, UPMC, an external academic institution, or commercial industry company, our HTGC team can help you set up an account with Health Sciences, begin the process to obtain a Lab Service Agreement (LSA), Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA), etc. 
Complete the appropriate Project Request and Sample Submission Forms

If possible, please submit/confirm your project requests at least 48 hours prior to expected drop-off.

  • Project Submission - Please go to our iLab page (HTGC iLab) to request services for a project. Please note there are multiple forms so choose the one appropriate to your needs, i.e. New Project/Consultation; QC Ony Project, Submitted Library Project, Full NGS Project, Pharmacogenomics Project.
  • General Sample Submission Form
    NOTE: Please see the project specific sample submission forms in the iLab request forms.
Review sample submission requirements

General Requirements

  • All samples should be placed in a secure container that is labelled with the date, principal investigator’s name, project contact name, and project name (i.e. Smith_0001 if you know it at that time).
  • All samples (whether tubes, plates, etc.) should be clearly labeled with at least one unique identifier (sample name/ID, pool name/ID, etc.).   This unique identifier should correspond to the information that is submitted on the sample submission sheet that is submitted with the project documentation online.  It is not necessary to include a hard-copy of this submission sheet with your samples.
  • Table1 outlines required quantity, volume, concentration, etc. to perform DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, QC, and sequencing.

Download the complete Sample Submission Requirements.

Submit samples to the HTGC
  • Our standard drop-off hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. You may contact us for special arrangements.
  • Our location is 5560 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. 
  • You may stop by our lab to drop-off in person, send via FedEx/UPS if you are out of the area, or via MedSpeed (Hoechstetter Bldg-Genomics, ID 172530).
  • Samples should be transported and dropped off in proper storage conditions below:
Sample TypeStorage Conditions
Tissue/CellsDry ice 🧊
RNADry ice 🧊
DNAWet ice 💧
LibraryWet ice 💧
Pooled Library Wet ice 💧
BloodWet ice 💧
Saliva/Buccal SwabRoom temperature
Data return

We have transitioned to use the Globus Application as our standard data delivery method.  With Globus, you can easily, reliably and securely move and share data no matter where it lives with just a web browser.  This alleviates the inconvenience of multiple expiring download links per project. When completing the project request forms on iLab, you will be asked to list your Globus accounts so we can set up the permissions to your data.  If you do not have one, our Software Engineer can assist you in setting one up and getting your permissions to a collection where your data will be available.  You can request an account here: https://www.globusid.org/create 

Sample and Data Storage
  • All samples and data will be stored for 30 days. 
  • After 30 days, the samples will be discarded unless you have arranged for pick-up or long-term storage. 
  • After 30 days, the data will be deleted from our servers unless you arrange and pay for long-term storage with us.  We will not be able to return any data to you after it has been deleted so it is imperative that you download the necessary data in a timely manner.

Executive Summary 

The High Throughput Genomics Core (HTGC) is a CAP/CLIA-certified state-of-the-art genomics facility in the center of Shadyside in Pittsburgh, PA. The facility houses a high-throughput, clinical-grade, 9,000 ft 2 next-generation sequencing (NGS) laboratory with an integrated bioinformatics cloud infrastructure. The HTGC staff includes two laboratory directors, laboratory staff, bioinformaticians, and IT support personnel. Review our executive summary.

Helpful Links

Become an iLab User

The University of Pittsburgh utilizes a single centralized Pitt/iLab portal to assist researchers in acquiring shared university resources. To use iLab Core Facilities Management, registration for an iLab account is required. Instructions on how to register for an account are available under the Core Connector.

iLab software defines multiple roles, one of which will apply to each person. Roles fall under three categories: Personnel Roles, Core Facilities Management Roles, and University-Wide Roles.  iLab training material is available for each of these roles under Using Core Facilities.