Tulane University

Contact Info:

Lee Ann Fitzpatrick/Nick Manness, PhD/Lori Rowe, PhD

Tulane National Biomedical Research Center

Covington, LA 70433-8915

https://tnbrc.tulane.edu/molecular-virology-and-sequencing-core

Grants and Identifiers:

RRID: RRID:SCR_027144

Instrumentation:

Services Provided:

Relevant Publications:

1.) Stafford P, Ahern H, Aucott J, Rebman A, Horn EJ, Hathaway M, Saunders M, Hasenkampf NR, Embers ME (2026 Feb 9). Multiplexed single-tier immunoassay for improved Lyme disease diagnosis across all disease stages. Research square, (), . . PMCID: 12919177.

2.) Melton A, Ferrari K, Hoffmann JP, Song K, Kolls JK, McCombs JE (2026 Jan 24). Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Commensal Microbes Amplify Sex-Specific Immune Programming in the Murine Lung. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, (), . . PMCID: 12871843.

3.) Chandra PK, Panner Selvam MK, Zulfiquar TN, Rutkai-Green I, Sikka SC, Braun SE, Rappaport J, Busija DW (2025 Oct 22). Plasma circulating extracellular vesicles reveal dysregulation of synaptic signaling in SHIV-infected rhesus macaque. Cell communication and signaling : CCS, 23(1), 455. . PMCID: 12541963.

Description:

Core offers advanced services to detect, quantify, and characterize pathogens, as well as assess host immune responses. Supports both standardized and custom assay developments. MVSC is composed of three integrated units: Virology Unit which provides viral stocks for variety of viruses at BSL2 and BSL3, as well as assay services including virus expansion and characterization, viral titer by plaque and TCID50 assays, live virus neutralization and inhibition assays at both BSL-2 and –3. Viruses currently in use by the core include SIV, HIV, Zika, Dengue, SARS-CoV-2, Mayaro, Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, Poliovirus, Enterovirus D68, and others. Luminex and Serology Unit Services include antibody detection in serum or plasma by Luminex-based assays and/or ELISA for SPF-agents such as SIV, SRV, STLV, B virus, SFV, CMV, RRV, SVV, SV40, and LCV, and non-SPF infectious agents like measles, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and SARS-CoV-2. This unit also offers services for cytokine quantification in body fluids including serum and CSF, as well as tissue culture supernatant. Sequencing Unit provides services related to quantitative PCR and RT PCR detection of viruses such as SIV, Zika, and SARS-CoV-2, as well as next generation sequencing services including whole genome (pathogen or host), epigenetics, targeted amplicons, and 16S and ITS metagenomics. Sequencing unit also performs single cell RNA-seq (10x and Parse) assays as well as NGS based genotyping of NHP, including for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) allelic genotyping.