Automation Systems For DNA & RNA Sequencing Preparation

Description

1. Background information on The University of Manchester<br />The University of Manchester is a place where research has a global impact, where students experience outstanding teaching and learning, helping them to develop into tomorrow’s leaders, and where all activity is enriched by a commitment to social responsibility. <br />Manchester was the first and most eminent of England’s civic universities. Today, we are part of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities, with an international reputation for the highest level of research and teaching, as demonstrated by our position in the Academic Ranking of World Universities. In 2021 we were placed 35th in the world and fifth in the UK. <br />Looking ahead, it is our vision to be one of the world’s leading universities and to be recognised globally for the excellence of our people, research, learning and innovations, and for the benefits we bring to society and the environment. <br />The University employs over 13,000 staff across 3 faculties plus professional services and plays a key role in the cultural life of the region through Manchester Museum, John Rylands Research Institute and Library, Jodrell Bank (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Whitworth Art Gallery. Our student community is one of the largest in the UK and at present, we have more than 44,000 students studying at the University <br />This quality of research feeds into our taught courses, many of which are also designed to meet the needs of industry. We offer more than 1,000-degree programmes and receive more undergraduate applications than any other UK university.<br />Further details on the University can be found at: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/facts-figures/<br /><br />2. Background information on Project<br />The University of Manchester wishes to purchase Automation Systems for DNA & RNA Sequencing Preparation. The facility will be housed within the National Biomarker Centre (NBC) within the Paterson Building on Wilmslow road. These automotive systems will allow a high throughput of DNA Sequencing Preparations in a standardised fashion for analysis of patient samples for Cancer Research. These systems will be used on multiple research projects freeing up scientific staff for other experimental processes.<br /><br />3. Project Overview <br />This project aims to enable Automation Systems for DNA and RNA Sequencing Preparation capability for our Nucleic Acid Biomarker (NAB) team in the National Biomarker Centre (NBC). <br />There are two main current area of interest for DNA Sequencing Preparation they are methylation (T7-MBD-Seq) & Targeted Next Generation Sequencing analysis. Each area of interest has large research and translational projects, with up to 10,000 samples for each. Other area of development relate to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of DNA, and RNA sequencing. As these projects contain large cohorts of patient samples, the manual processes for DNA sequencing preparation becomes very labour intensive. Automation of these processes standardises the workflow and removes unwanted pipetting variations, it also allows less hands-on time for scientific staff allowing the efforts to be targeted elsewhere.<br /><br />The University of Manchester no longer meets the criteria of a ‘body governed by public law’ and is therefore not considered a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation. As a result, the University of Manchester will no longer be subject to the regime contained in The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation with effect from 1 August 2023. However, as an institution founded for the public good, an exempt charity and an organization in receipt of public funds, the University has a duty to manage expenditure in an appropriate manner and aims to deliver value for money across its non-pay spend by adhering to good procurement practice.<br />