Centralized Service Facilities
| Diensthoofd |  Christine Van Broeckhoven |
Contact: VIB Department of Molecular Genetics Fax: +32 (0) 3 265 1112 |
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| Research Associate |
 Bart Smets |
 Bob Asselbergh |
 Joy Irobi |
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| Data Manager |
 Nicky Van Thuyne |
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| Research Technician |
 Dirk Schaerlaekens |
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| Laboratory Animal Carer |
 Martine Boogaerts |
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The GSF (http://www.vibgeneticservicefacility.be/) is headed by Hubert Backhovens, a senior principle staff technician, with >20 years expertise in genetics and cell technologies. His team of eight includes another seven technicians that together form the dedicated personnel of the GSF. The GSF is well equipped with an extended robotic platform for high-throughput genetic analyses such DNA Sanger sequencing, SNP genotyping and STR based genome-wide association studies. The GSF also provides automated DNA/RNA extractions and the production and culturing of EBV transformed lymphoblast cell lines. The GSF provides its services also to third parties i.e. researchers from within VIB and the University of Antwerp, but also to academic and industrial third parties based on a fee-for-service principle.
The DSF (http://www.molgen.ua.ac.be/DNADiagnostics/) centralizes the DNA diagnostic expertise in CNS and PNS neurological diseases under the technical guidance of Ann Löfgren, the laboratory head. There are four technicians active in the DSF that provide DNA diagnostic testing in association with the Medical Genetics Center of the University Hospital Antwerp and IBB. They also provide services to third parties upon request by medical genetic and neurological centers in Europe for a fee-for-service.