About the Precision RNA Medicine Core
The Precision RNA Medicine Core is a state-of-the-art informatics, sequencing, imaging, delivery, preclinical facility dedicated to precision medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School (HMS). Please visit our dedicated website for more information.
The Precision RNA Medicine Core is directed by Dr. Win Hide, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School and is co-directed by Dr. Frank Slack, Director of the Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine (HIRM). Established in 2014 as the Institute for RNA Medicine and hosted by the BIDMC Cancer Center, the HIRM brings together leading investigators in the field to accelerate investigations into how non-coding RNA functions and how these insights can be used to develop new therapies.
If you require a quote or have any questions, please email us.
Services
BIDMC's Precision RNA Medicine Core will provide the following capabilities for ncRNA biology:
ncRNA Biomarker and Target Identification
- ncRNA detection via sensitive and selective qRTPCR technology from MiRXES
- statistical analyses of ncRNA detection results
Delivery of RNA and Drugs (including ncRNA)
- nanoparticle creation, packaging and delivery in vitro and in vivo using technology from Precision NanoSystems
ncRNA Bioinformatics
- ncRNA downstream target and pathway analysis
In the future the Core plans to add:
- ncRNA sequencing
- ncRNA fluorescent in situ sequencing
- quantitative image analysis
- functional ncRNA characterization
Customers should contact us via email or phone with any inquiries. Requests will be reviewed and discussed with each investigator to insure appropriate services are provided. Please do not send samples without prior acceptance of a request.
If you require a quote or have any questions, please email us.
Equipment
The Delivery Unit uses the following equipment to facilitate advances in delivery of ncRNAs to diseased tissue, and promote access to clinical trials for successful pre-clinical science:
- NanoAssemblr Spark: Mini-prep system for creating custom lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for target delivery testing.
- NanoAssemblr Benchtop: Midi-prep device for making sufficient quantities of nanoparticles for in vitro testing.
- NanoAssemblr Blaze: Maxi-prep device for in vivo scale nanoparticles for delivery to model organisms, such as mouse and rat.
- Malvern Zetasizer: The Zetasizer provides both exceptionally high performance and entry level systems that incorporate combinations of a particle size analyzer, zeta potential analyzer, molecular weight analyzer, protein mobility and microrheology measurements. Particles and molecules from less than a nanometer in size to several microns can be analyzed.
- Millrock Tech Freeze Dryer: This lyophilizer removes water from a product (sublimation).
The Detection Unit uses the following equipment to facilitate quantification and idemntification of ncRNAs for novel biomarkers and targets for therapy:
- SimpliAmp Thermocyclers
- QS5-384 Well qPCR Instruments
Location
The Precision RNA Medicine Core is situated in BIDMC space ESB01A-H, which is located in the basement of the BIDMC East Building at 330 Brookline Avenue in the Longwood Medical area of Boston. Please call before visiting in person.
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Staff
- Director: Winston Hide, PhD
- Co-Director: Frank J. Slack, PhD
- Administrator: Grace Lee
- Detection Unit: Jan Heng, PhD
- Bioinformatics Unit: Ioannis Vlachos, PhD
- Delivery Unit: Madison Uyemura
