Omics Resource Centre (ORC)

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
What the facility does

Provides Next-generation sequencing and multiomics data services.

Areas of expertise

The Omics Resource Centre (ORC) is a next-generation sequencing (NGS) service laboratory and research support core housed within the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in Saskatoon.  

ORC provides integrated genomics services spanning the full workflow, from crude sample processing and nucleic acid extraction to NGS library preparation, to short read sequencing, and cytoprofiling. These services support partners at USask as well as collaborators from other academic and non-profit research institutions, and for-profit organizations and industry.  

The Omics Resource Centre also serves as a training hub for highly qualified personnel at USask. In addition, ORC offers consultation services tailored to the needs of veterinary, animal agriculture and basic research communities, supporting projects from study design to data analysis.  

ORC is equipped to scale operations from individual pilot samples to full cohort studies, accommodating both exploratory and high-throughput research. This scalability is enabled by advanced automation, with core equipment including robotic liquid handlers, automated nucleic acid extraction systems, and state-of-the-art short-read sequencers. 

ORC delivers multiomics analysis on a range of biological samples, including cell suspensions, fresh frozen tissue sections, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Its multiomics assays can profile up to 2 million cells, enabling the analysis of RNA for differential gene expression, proteins and phosphorylation states for pathway and network insights, and cell morphology for segmentation and cluster analysis— at single-cell resolution with spatial context.

Research services
  • 5D multi-omics: Perform imaging-based cytoprofiling using probe counting (no sequencing readout) and direct in sample sequencing (DISS) targeting user-defined loci or whole transcriptome 3’ mRNA in situ. Profile up to 2 million cells from cell suspensions, fresh frozen sections, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Detect RNA for differential gene expression, proteins and phosphorylation states for pathway and network analysis, and cell morphology for segmentation and clustering at single-cell resolution with spatial context.
  • RNA sequencing: Generate transcriptomic data from fresh and fixed samples using 3’ mRNA-seq, toal RNA-seq, mRNA-seq, small RNA-seq, and related approaches.
  • Genome sequencing: Apply a range of DNA sequencing methods, including whole genome sequencing (WGS), low-pass WGS for genotyping, amplicon sequencing, and exome sequencing.
  • Metabarcoding: Profile microbial communities through sequencing of 16S or 18S ribosomal RNA genes and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions.
  • Shotgun metagenome sequencing: Characterize entire microbial communities from biological or environmental samples, enabling higher-resolution and more reproducible analyses than metabarcoding.
  • Metatranscriptome sequencing (MetaT-Seq): Assess active microbial gene expression within complex communities.
  • Stowaway sequencing runs: Enable cost-effective sequencing by integrating individual or small pilot samples into larger third-party sequencing runs.
  • Direct sequencing: Sequence customer-supplied libraries with optional use of customer-supplied sequencing reagents.
  • Crude sample processing: Perform automated nucleic acid extraction from diverse sample types, including formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues.
  • Sample quality control: Conduct quantitative and qualitative assessment of nucleic acid extracts and NGS libraries.
  • Instrument access: Provide shared access to equipment such as the Agilent TapeStation 4200, Agilent Synergy LX microplate reader, KingFisher Apex nucleic acid purification system, Invitrogen Countess 3 FL automated cell counter, and Miltenyi Biotec gentleMACS Dissociator.
  • Project consultations: Support clients with consultations on study design, method selection, letters of support for grant applications, and guidance on downstream data analysis (offered at no cost).
Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
  • Short-read DNA and RNA sequencing: Generate high-throughput sequencing data using the Element Biosciences AVITI24 platform, producing up to ~900 Gbp or 3 billion reads per run, with scalable output for large genomes, targeted sequencing and amplicon applications.
  • Multiomics analysis: Perform integrated cytoprofiling and direct in sample sequencing (DISS) to simultaneously assess genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes and cell morphology from cell suspensions, fresh frozen tissues and FFPE tissue sections.
  • Automated NGS library preparation: Prepare sequencing libraries for up to 96 samples using automated liquid handling systems (Hamilton Microlab STAR with on-deck thermal cycler (ODTC), heater shakers and integrated modules).
  • Automated liquid handling: Automate PCR/qPCR setup, nucleic acid normalization, dilution series and plate reformatting using programmable liquid handlers (Eppendorf epMotion 5073).
  • Automated nucleic acid and protein extraction: Isolate DNA, RNA, proteins and cells from 1–96 samples in approximately 1 hour using magnetic bead-based purification systems (Thermo Scientific KingFisher Apex System).
  • Nucleic acid quality control: Assess DNA and RNA integrity and fragment size using automated electrophoresis, generating metrics such as RINe, DIN, DV200 and %cfDNA for up to 96 samples per run (Agilent TapeStation 4200).
  • Biomolecular quantification and assay detection: Measure nucleic acids, proteins and cell-based assays using UV‑Vis, fluorescence and luminescence detection across 1–384 samples (Synergy LX multimode reader).
  • Fluorometric quantification: Quantify DNA, RNA, microRNA and protein concentrations with high sensitivity for sequencing and analytical workflows (Thermo Scientific Qubit Flex Fluorometer).
  • Sample drying and concentration: Evaporate and concentrate nucleic acids, proteins and solvents from tubes or plates for downstream processing (Thermo Scientific Savant SpeedVac SPD1030 Vacuum Concentrator).
  • Cell counting and viability analysis: Count cells and nuclei and assess viability and apoptosis using brightfield and fluorescence imaging (Invitrogen Countess 3 FL).
  • Tissue dissociation and homogenization: Generate single-cell suspensions or homogenates from a wide range of tissues for downstream molecular and cellular analyses (Miltenyi Biotec gentleMACS Dissociator, Fisher Scientific Cole-Parmer HG-600 Geno/Grinder 2010 High-Throughput Homogenizer).
     
  • National Research Council Canada (NRC)
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
  • Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE)