Integrated Genomics Operation (IGO)

Neeman Mohibullah

Director

The Integrated Genomics Operation (IGO) Core provides a broad range of services and expertise to Center investigators interested in evaluating gene expression, chromosome structure, and nucleotide sequence on a broad scale. It delivers a comprehensive, rapid, and user-friendly service. IGO enables basic, clinical, and translational research projects across the Center. Through the centralized management of all sequencing activities at MSK, the Core empowers scientists with an array of technological options and the most efficient and cost-effective means of performing high-throughput genomics.

Through its production group, the Core enables genomic and transcriptomic analyses and has the expertise to successfully process challenging samples from all origins (tissue, dissociated single cells and cell pellets, paraffin curls, blood, serum, etc.). Bulk DNA/RNA assays operate in a highly automated environment, from sample reception to sequencing library preparation. Since 2018, the genomics field has pivoted to several new technologies that IGO has incorporated into its offerings: single cell genomics and transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics and long-read sequencing. The production group is a LEAN operation that minimizes waste and maximizes value at every step. Consequently, turnaround times and prices are competitive with those offered by commercial and other academic entities but with an added value of customizing for MSK scientists as needed. The IGO also provides a custom service to investigators wishing to explore new frontiers in applications and technologies. IGO’s software engineers collaborate with bioinformatics teams across MSK to provide end-to-end solutions to the users of its sequencing services.