Frequently Asked Questions

A list of the questions we are most frequently asked is below. If you do not see your question or would like more information, please contact us.

General

Where is the Genomics Core located?
The Genomics Core is located in the Ward Building, Room 9-144, on Northwestern University's Chicago campus. Our mailing address is:

303 E Chicago Ave
Ward 9-144
Chicago IL 60611

Who can submit samples to the facility?
Anyone. We accept samples from all non-profit and for profit organizations.

Can I set up a consultation prior to initiating my project?
Yes. Consultations are free of charge but by appointment only. Please contact Felicia Kelly, program/financial assistant, at feliciakelly@northwestern.edu or 312-503-3680 for more information.

Who do I contact about large projects?
Please contact Nadereh Jafari, facility director, at n-jafari@northwestern.edu or 312-503-3331.

How do I obtain a quote for services?
Please contact Felicia Kelly, program/financial assistant, at feliciakelly@northwestern.edu or 312-503-3680.

How do I submit an order?
All traditional full service and ready to run sequencing orders are submitted via our online system, found here. To learn more about setting up an account on this system, please click here.

Orders for all other services, including next-generation sequencing, are placed by emailing forms to genomics-core@cgm.northwestern.edu. All service forms can be found here. More information about the services we offer, sample preparation and submission, and order submission can be found by clicking here and selecting the appropriate service.

What is the Core's policy on rerunning samples?
If your samples fail and you choose for us to troubleshoot them, we will first check the concentration of your samples using our ND-1000 Spectrophotometer from NanoDrop.

If the concentration is incorrect, we will adjust the concentration and rerun one sample. If this reaction works, you will be charged for the additional reaction. If this reaction does not work, we will work with you to continue troubleshooting your samples.

The user will be charged for all failed reactions unless the Core is responsible.

How do I sign up to use the Real-Time PCR 7900HT?
Please contact Felicia Kelly, program/financial assistant, at feliciakelly@northwestern.edu or 312-503-3680 to make an appointment. Please call 312-503-3680 ten minutes before your scheduled time so the lab can be opened for use. Same day appointments are welcome.

Where is the Real-Time PCR 7900HT system located?
The system is located in Tarry 12-720. Please call 312-503-3680 for more information.

Financial

Who should I contact about billing questions?
Please email Felicia Kelly, program/financial assistant at feliciakelly@northwestern.edu or call 312-503-3680.

Who receives the invoices from the Core?
All invoices are e-mailed to the principal investigator and the account administrator at the end of each month.

How can I get a copy of the invoice?
Invoices are sent out at the end of each month. If you'd like another copy, please email Felicia Kelly at feliciakelly@northwestern.edu or call 312-503-3680.

What should I do if there is an error on the invoice?
After invoices are sent out, you have five business days to review your invoice and report any errors. If you do find an error, contact Felicia Kelly at feliciakelly@northwestern.edu or call 312-503-3680.

Sequencing Order Submission

How do I set up an account?
Please submit the following information to sequencing@cgm.northwestern.edu.

Principal Investigator's Name:
Net ID (Northwestern Users Only):
Department:
Phone:
E-mail:
Mailing Address:
PO / Credit Card #:
Expiration Date on CC:
Chart String number (Northwestern Users Only):

Technician's Name:
Net ID (Northwestern Users Only):
Department:
Phone:
E-mail:
Mailing Address:

Account/Department Administrator's Name:
Net ID (Northwestern Users Only):
Department:
Phone:
E-mail:
Mailing Address:

How do I submit my full service or ready to run sequencing order?
1. Log into our Core Facilities (CoreFac) website.
Northwestern users may use your NetID and password if an account has already been set up for you.
Outside users log in using the name and password provided after account setup. Please email sequencing@cgm.northwestern.edu if you forget either one.

2. You will be taken to “DNA Sample Submission form." On this page you will see a drop down box in the top left hand corner entitled “Existing User."

3. Click on the drop down box and select “Submit Sequencing Samples."

4. After you have selected the correct form, you will be taken to a new page where you will see a button that says “Submit An Order For Yourself." This will take you to the submission form.

5. First, calculate the number of reactions you are planning to submit. For example, if you are submitting 2 DNA samples to be run with 4 primers, that would be 8 total reactions. Type in 8 and click “Reload Form."

7. Fill out the rest of the form and then click “Submit” at the bottom.

8. After submitting the form, you will see a new page that says "Congratulations, your samples have been submitted," followed by the sample names. If you do not see this, it means that the form did not go through.

What do I do if I can't submit the online form?
If you are receiving a "Sequencing Request Error" message, then your account has been created but is no longer valid. The most common reason is an expired account number. Please have your account administrator or PI change the expiration date by going to this site.

If you are receiving an "Authentication Failed" message, then either your NetID/login and/or your password are incorrect. For NU users, contact NUIT personnel for help. For non-NU users, contact us at sequencing@cgm.northwestern.edu.

What do I do if I made a mistake on the sequencing submission form?
If you made an error when typing in the sample name, please email us at sequencing@cgm.northwestern.edu with the correct information and we will be able to change it for you.

If you submitted a sample that you do not want sequenced, you can cancel the order here. If you selected the incorrect account number to be billed for an order, you may cancel the order and resubmit the samples using the correct account number.

Can I still use a paper form to submit my order?
No - sequencing orders must be submitted via our online system, as it is tied to billing and sending results. Orders for all other services, however, including next-generation sequencing, are placed by emailing forms to genomics-core@cgm.northwestern.edu or submitting paper versions to the Core. All service forms can be found here.