Applied Biosystems 3730 DNA Analyzer
Used for microsatellite genotyping and sequencing.
Applied Biosystems’ 48-capillary DNA Analyzer is the Gold Standard in medium-to-high throughput genetic analysis. It is capable of handling 96 or 384 well plates and has a plate stacker for automated plate loading. The platform performs two core applications: Sanger sequencing & fragment analysis; but an extensive range of other applications are also available.
How it works:
The DNA fragments migrate through the capillaries by size, smallest to largest. As they reach a detection window, the laser beam excites the dye molecules, causing them to fluoresce. In this way, a DNA Analyzer detects different products based on their size and the colour label attached.
Sequenom MassARRAY® Compact 96 System
Used for SNP genotyping.
Sequenom’s primer extension chemistry (iPLEX® Gold) is used to generate products for analysis. A nanodispenser transfers samples onto the 384 matrix pads of a SpectroChip which is then analyzed in real time using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. 
Robust software automates data acquisition and analysis and enables fast, direct identification of genetic targets. Additional software and chemistry packages allow methylation and quantitative gene expression analysis.
How it works:
MALDI-TOF MS works on the principle that ions of different molecular weights travel at different speeds - lighter products travel faster than heavier products.
A laser beam excites the sample matrix and the time it takes for the sample ions to drift through the flight tube to the detector is proportional to their molecular weight. In this way, a mass spectrometer detects different products based on their weight (calculated from the speed they travel).
Genomnz™ also has access to a wide range of the new technologies and specialist knowledge needed for whole genome sequencing, marker discovery and genome-wide genotyping techniques.
Illumina BeadStation (iScan System)
A recent acquisition by the Animal Improvement Section, the Illumina BeadStation is used for genome-wide genotyping.
Illumina’s Infinium assay is designed to interrogate thousands of SNPs and can be used for genome-wide genotyping applications such as whole-genome association studies, genome-wide selection, determining genetic merit, identifying quantitative trait loci and comparative genetic studies.
Genomnz™ has also used the services of the University of Otago High-Throughput DNA Sequencing Unit to determine genomic sequence for finfish and shellfish. The Unit uses Roche/454 GS FLX and ABI SOLiD systems for whole genome sequencing projects.