The DNA Sequencing Core Facility provides Sanger DNA sequencing, fragment analysis, and now Whole Plasmid Sequencing to investigators at CMMT, BCCHR, and to external academic and industry researchers.
Our facility is equipped with the ABI 3500xl Genetic Analyzer for Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis, and the Oxford Nanopore MinION platform for long-read plasmid sequencing.
Since 2002, we have completed more than 350,000 analyses for over 215 research groups at CMMT, BCCHR, UBC, SFU, UVic, and numerous hospital, industry, and government labs.
WHOLE PLASMID SEQUENCING – New Service
We are pleased to introduce Whole Plasmid Sequencing (October 2025). This service provides complete plasmid validation using Oxford Nanopore’s MinION platform and the epi2me clone validation workflow.
Key features:
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De novo plasmid assembly with full-length coverage
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Automated annotation of plasmid features
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Quality metrics including per-base accuracy and assembly statistics
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Deliverables: annotated plasmid map, FASTA and FASTQ sequence files, and a detailed validation report
Applications:
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Confirming plasmid integrity
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Verifying cloning experiments and insert orientation
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Detecting mutations, rearrangements, or unexpected sequence changes
Simply submit purified plasmids following our protocol notes. Please download our updated Sample Submission Form. Results are typically available within a few business days.
SANGER DNA SEQUENCING
Sequencing is performed on an ABI 3500xl 24-capillary automated genetic analyzer. Please see the protocol notes for sample submission details.
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Read length: 700–900 bp per reaction
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Turnaround: 1–3 business days
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Services:
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Full Service sequencing of DNA templates (discounted rates for pre-mixed samples)
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Ready-to-Run service if you prefer to prepare your own sequencing reactions
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We sequence single- or double-stranded DNA from plasmids, PCR products, BAC, PAC, and cosmid templates using ABI BigDye v3.1 Terminator chemistry.
Results are provided as analyzed ABI files (.ab1), with other formats available upon request.
GENOTYPING SERVICES
DNA fragment analysis is performed on the ABI 3500xl Analyzer.
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Size range: 50–1000 bp
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Includes internal size standards
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Please contact us for project-specific details and pricing.
FEES
Whole Plasmid Sequencing – Academic Pricing. Please ask for industry pricing.
| Samples submitted | < 8 | 8 to 23 | >24 |
| Plasmids (<24kb) | $19.00 | $18.50 | $18.00 |
| Large Plasmids (25kb to 100kb) | $27 | $26 | $25 |
| XL Plasmids (>100kb) | $60 | $58 | $56 |
Sanger DNA sequencing pricing for Academic researchers. Private sector pricing is available upon request.
| Samples submitted | < 16 | 16 to 47 | >47 |
| Prepared by facility | |||
| Pre-mixed Samples (Normalized Concentration, 8-strip tubes or 96-well plates) |
$10.50 | $8.50 | $7.50 |
| Standard service (Normalized concentration) |
$12.50 | $10.50 | $8.50 |
| Surcharge to Normalize Sample Concentration |
$3.00 | $3.00 | $3.00 |
| Surcharge for BAC/cosmid or low concentration samples |
$1.50 | $1.50 | $1.50 |
| Ready-to-run | $4.25 | $3.75 | $3.75 |
The following Sanger DNA sequencing pricing applies to CMMT and BCCHR Academic researchers.
| Samples submitted | < 16 | 16 to 47 | >47 |
| Prepared by facility | |||
| Pre-mixed Samples (Normalized Concentration, 8-strip tubes or 96-well plates) |
$9.50 | $7.50 | $6.50 |
| Standard service (Normalized concentration) |
$11.50 | $9.50 | $7.50 |
| Surcharge to Normalize Sample Concentration |
$3.00 | $3.00 | $3.00 |
| Surcharge for BAC/cosmid or low concentration samples |
$1.50 | $1.50 | $1.50 |
| Ready-to-run | $3.25 | $3.00 | $3.00 |
Additional information on fees:
- All fees include taxes, are quoted in Canadian dollars, and are subject to change.
- To be eligible for volume discounts (more than 15 samples), all samples must be of same type and submitted at the same time.
- To be eligible for our “Pre-Mixed Samples” pricing, samples mixed with primers submitted must conform to requirements detailed in the Pre-Mixed Samples Service section above.
- “Standard service” includes reaction setup, sequencing reaction, and provision of analyzed .ab1 files (or other format upon request). See Sample Preparation – Standard Service above for more information.
- For “ready-to-run“, the user provides cleaned sequencing products, facility denatures and runs samples on sequencer, and provides analyzed .ab1 files (or other format upon request). Please provide samples in 8-strip PCR tubes or 96-well plates if greater than 6 samples submitted. Please contact facility for further details.
- Specialty sequencing (BAC, cosmid) and other samples that require additional sequencing reagents (ie. concentration is outside of indicated range) will incur a $1.50/reaction surcharge.
- If a sequence fails due to facility’s error or equipment malfunction, it will be repeated at no charge. All other sequence failures and repeats are customer’s responsibility.
SAMPLE SUBMISSION
Click here to download the DNA sequencing request form that can either be printed or sent as an email attachment.
Samples can be dropped off at the BCCHR shipping and receiving at 950 West 28th Avenue (before 4:00 pm), by calling 604-875-3814 to reach the facility, or by courier to the address below. On-site researchers may drop off samples in the facility’s freezer in room 3028.
BILLING AUTHORIZATION AND INVOICING
Invoicing will be processed on a monthly basis by the Workday Internal Service Delivery (ISD) process for UBC customers. To enable monthly billing to your UBC grant, please complete the ISD Authorization Form available here. Non-UBC customers will be invoiced monthly.
CUSTOM DNA OLIGO SYNTHESIS
Custom DNA oligo synthesis is available through the IDT – CMMT Stores Web-Portal. For information on this portal, please visit the CMMT/BCCHR Stores webpage. To go directly to the portal click here: IDT – CMMT Stores Portal.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For additional information and to submit samples please contact:
Ms. Mona Moniri(604) 875-3814
dna@cmmt.ubc.ca
Mailing Address:
CMMT/BCCHR DNA Sequencing Core FacilityAttention: Ms. Mona Moniri
The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics
950 West 28th Avenue, Room A3-193
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 4H4 Canada
Dropping Off Samples in Person?
Please meet us at the south entrance of the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. This is Entrance #4 shown on the map on the Contact Us page.
For further information on CMMT Core Facilities, please contact:
Michael Hockertz
hockertz@cmmt.ubc.ca
(604) 875-3816