UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
The sequencing and Genotyping facility (SGF) at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus (UPR-RP) proposes to acquire a ROCHE 454GS Titanium next generation sequencer and computational infrastructure for analysis of genomic data. The SGF serves as a catalyst for the transformation of UPR-RP into a full fledged Hispanic minority serving research 1 university through genome enabled research. The mission of SGF is to provide a) state-of-the-art research support for the University of Puerto Rico scientific community, and research and academic institutions in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, b) data analysis workshops, c) training of human resources at the graduate, undergraduate and post-doctoral levels. The acquisition of the Roche 454 GS Titanium will significantly enhance research productivity and the training of students in this area. Focal research areas are: 1) environmental genomics, 2)developmental genomics, 3)evolutionary and ecological genomics and 4)bioinformatics. All projects foster inter- and trans- disciplinary synergies and interactions among research fellows within each research area, with other research areas, the University of Puerto Rico, and the local, national and international scientific communities. The broader impacts of the proposed activities are based on SGF's leadership as provider of genomic and bioinformatics services to the University of Puerto Rico research community. In addition to these services, SGF regularly provides seminars and workshops to researchers and students throughout academic institutions in Puerto Rico.