Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility (GBCF)

Guidelines on access and use of the GBCF

We provide services to researchers, clinicians, students, and other interested individuals within and beyond the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. The GBCF is managed by a team of research assistants under the leadership of a senior member, who reports to the Director of NMIMR.

To ensure the smooth operation of the facility and maintain high research standards, all users are kindly required to adhere to the GBCF guidelines:

• Complete the sequencing request form
• Upon completion, sequencing request forms are reviewed; all queries are resolved between the requester and GBCF
• A proforma invoice is issued by GBCF, endorsed by NMIMR accounts office and forwarded to the requester
• The requester makes payment for the service and submits proof of payment to the GBCF.
• The requester downloads and completes the sample submission form
• The sample submission form should be submitted together with the samples according to the appropriate criteria indicated
• Samples are received at the general laboratory according to NMIMR’s standard operating procedures
• Samples will be checked using the sample acceptance/rejection criteria
• Samples which fail to meet the indicated criteria will be rejected and communicated to the requester via email.

Note:

• Click here to access the sequencing request form to request our facility’s services.
• Download the sequencing request form template and complete it.
• Click here to access the sample submission form.
• Download the sample submission form and complete it.
• Kindly forward the completed forms to the GBCF via email (genomicscorefacility@noguchi.ug.edu.gh).

Access and Training

Access to the GBCF is electronically controlled and is accessible to staff who have been trained and authorized to work in the genomics and bioinformatics laboratories.

The GBCF hosts and assists students who are carrying out their project work that is related to genomics and bioinformatics. Such individuals are trained by the GBCF staff on the relevant instruments before use.

 Terms and Conditions

To access our services, kindly refer to “Guidelines for access and use of the GBCF”

NB: Apart from statutory public holidays and weekends, the GBCF is open between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm daily.

Kindly note that the GBCF reserves the right to the following:

• Discard any sample as per our sample rejection criteria outlined unless the sender requests their return in writing. Any associated cost regarding the return of rejected samples shall be solely borne by the sender and not the GBCF.

• Reject requests where request forms are incorrectly or illegibly completed (if handwritten).

Time Limits for Additional Examination Requests

Additional requests must be received within a week of original receipt of specimens in the laboratory. Where applicable, the requester must call the laboratory for the specific test and make provision for the extra cost.

 Use of Outsourced Laboratories

The GBCF is in the process of establishing agreements with referral laboratories for outsourcing examinations it cannot perform upon receipt of samples. However, we currently do not outsource any of our examinations to any external facility.

Laboratory Reports

All client reports/results are electronically generated and sent via email.

Confidentiality of Service User Information

Clients’ information is maintained as confidential according to the information security policy of the NMIMR. Client reports/results are released ONLY to the Email address provided by the client and hard copies retrieved on request following proper identification.

Training and Capacity Building

The GBCF has been a major center for genomics and bioinformatics capacity building within the Africa sub-region. We have trained many laboratory personnel from over 40 different countries including Ghana, Cape Verde, Togo, Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Liberia, etc., in genomic sequencing and bioinformatics data analysis. Our trainings are organized either independently or in collaboration with institutions such as the Africa CDC/Africa-PGI, World Health Organisation, African Society for Laboratory Medicine, the UK Health Security Agency New Variant Assessment Platform (UKHSA NVAP), and the University of Cambridge Bioinformatics Training Facility (BTF), etc.