The BPF NGS Genomics Core Facility, formerly known as "The Biopolymers Facility," is a
non-profit specialized service facility within the Department of Genetics at Harvard
Medical School. The primary client base of the BPF consists of investigators at Harvard
Medical School and affiliated research hospitals. While the majority of our users are
located within the Longwood Medical Area, we also serve laboratories at schools, universities,
and biotechnology companies globally.
Our mission is to provide investigators with access to technology services that will accelerate
their research programs while simultaneously conserving time and resources by outsourcing
laboratory experiments. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive range of popular reagents and
supplies for immediate pickup from our Core Stock Room or Self-Service Supply Center. The core
also provides cost-effective synthetic oligonucleotides and related products that are shipped
directly to your laboratory through our IDT Portal. These resources facilitate the rapid
development of research ideas into experiments while simultaneously reducing research expenditures
through bulk pricing agreements and minimal, or no, shipping charges. We prioritize delivering
high-quality data and expediting sample turnaround times.
Our comprehensive services encompass DNA and RNA Quality Assessment, Automation Services, Sanger
DNA Sequencing, Next-Generation Library Preparation and Next-Generation Sequencing, Oligonucleotide
Ordering, Reagent and Supplies Ordering, and training and access to a range of self-service instruments.
We employ a comprehensive web-based Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to streamline
ordering processes, monitor experiment progress, facilitate supply retrieval, grant data access, and
facilitate invoice review and retrieval.
As a non-profit academic laboratory, we prioritize providing direct communication with our users regarding
the processing of their samples. Our competitive pricing structure ensures that grant funds are allocated
judiciously, aligning with the cost of experiments.
We offer complimentary consultations to facilitate discussions on collaboration opportunities, provide
letters of support for funding proposals, and address inquiries about experimental design and the appropriate
technologies and services to meet research requirements. Please do not hesitate to contact us at
info@genome.med.harvard.edu for any
inquiries.
About the Core Facility
History
The Biopolymers Facility (BPF) was initially established as an HHMI-funded core facility. Its primary
objective was to provide DNA sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, and mass spectrometry services to
the Department of Genetics and surrounding Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) laboratories. The
facility was directed by John Rush and administered jointly by the HMS Department of Genetics and HHMI
in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The laboratory was situated on the third floor of the Warren Alpert Building
in the Medical School Quad. In the summer of 2000, Robert Steen assumed the role of Director and continues
to hold this position to this day. Under Bob's leadership, the core staff has successfully navigated the
core through several significant technology implementations and has ensured the continuous availability
of state-of-the-art instrumentation for our researchers.
In the summer of 2002, HHMI initiated substantial policy changes that ultimately led to the formal closure of the laboratory on August 31, 2003. Consequently, the BPF ceased to function as an HHMI laboratory.
In the summer of 2002, HHMI initiated substantial policy changes that ultimately led to the formal closure of the laboratory on August 31, 2003. Consequently, the BPF ceased to function as an HHMI laboratory.
Harvard Medical School
Following the closure of the BPF as an HHMI laboratory, the staff transitioned to employees of Harvard Medical School
in September 2003, with an affiliation through the Department of Genetics. Ongoing transformations continue to
shape the facility. Notably, the laboratory relocated to the New Research Building on Avenue Louis Pasteur,
where it currently occupies approximately 2,000 square feet of laboratory space on the basement level.
We have enhanced our stock room to include a comprehensive reagent pickup facility and a fully automated self-service supply center that is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ongoing technological advancements and services include Next-Generation Library Prep and Sequencing, Automation Services, a Shared Equipment Suite, and more. Additionally, we have implemented significant upgrades and modifications to our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). We remain committed to continuous improvements in our operations to effectively serve our researchers. For a comprehensive overview of our latest service offerings, please refer to our Services section.
We have enhanced our stock room to include a comprehensive reagent pickup facility and a fully automated self-service supply center that is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ongoing technological advancements and services include Next-Generation Library Prep and Sequencing, Automation Services, a Shared Equipment Suite, and more. Additionally, we have implemented significant upgrades and modifications to our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). We remain committed to continuous improvements in our operations to effectively serve our researchers. For a comprehensive overview of our latest service offerings, please refer to our Services section.