Genetic Counseling Clinic opens at Union Hospital through a partnership with Indiana State University 

What is genetic counseling? 

Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.  Genetic counselors are healthcare providers that can discuss a patient’s medical and/or family history, educate about inheritance, testing options, management, prevention, resources, and research opportunities.  Genetic counselors also provide counseling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the likelihood of developing an existing genetic condition.  

Genetic counseling services are now available in Terre Haute, Indiana through a partnership with Indiana State University and Union Hospital. The clinic is located on the 2nd floor of the Hux Cancer Center (1711 N. 6 ½ Street, Terre Haute, IN 47804). 

While most of our patients are seen for a personal and/or family history of cancer, we see patients for a variety of indications including psychiatric conditions (such as schizophrenia, bipolar etc.), prenatal screening/carrier screening, cardiac genetics, etc...  Healthcare providers can refer patients for genetic counseling by calling (812) 238-7504.

For more information about the clinic and available services visit the clinic webpage 

https://www.indstate.edu/cas/gcc 

Core Facilities/Services 

Genomics Core Facility contains cutting edge equipment for next generation sequencing, cell culture and confocal-like microscopy.  Instruments are located in rooms Science 207-211, S213, S246-250, and S284 

The facility is equipped with following instruments: 

I. CORE SEQUENCING FACILITY 

Science 284 

1. QuantStudio 3 Real-time PCR System: QuantStudio 3 provides a compact and reliable way to preform real-time polymerase chain reaction, or qPCR, analyses. This acts as a way to monitor how efficiently you are able to amplify a target strand of DNA through fluorescence based monitoring during each PCR cycle. 

2. SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer: The SeqStudio is a flouresence-based capillary electrophoresis system which allows for two main types of genomic analysis; sanger sequencing and fragment analysis. These techniques allow for users to obtain the genetic sequences of single samples, as well as the detection of DNA fragment size, which are both useful for applications such as genotyping, genetic mapping, and mutation detection.

Science 207-211 

3. Qubit 4 Fluorometer: The Qubit 4 is the most updated fluorometer on the market. Through simplified assay kits, it allows the user to detect the quantity of a specific molecule type (DNA, RNA, Protien, or ISP) that are present in their sample. 

4. Ion S5 Prime: The S5 Prime System is Thermo Fisher’s top of the line semiconductor-based high throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) system that enables simple targeted equencing workflows. It offers a scalable workflow to fit various needs and achieve from 2–130 million reads from up to 96 different pooled samples per Run. 

5. Ion Chef: The Ion Chef System is a highly automated workflow simplification product. It provides automated library preparation, template preparation, and chip loading for users at any experience level, and easily walks through the necessary steps in order to efficiently sequence a wide array of genetic libraries on the Ion S5 Prime Sequencer. 

6. Diagenode Bioruptor NGS: The Bioruptor Sonication System uses a water bath to generate indirect sonication waves, which emanate from an ultrasound element below a water tank. This is used for the systematic fragmentation of large segments of DNA for sequencing purposes. 

7. Pippen Prep: The Pippin Prep facilitates library construction for the most popular next generation sequencing. (NGS) platforms and is recommended by Illumina and Ion Torrent for certain workflows. The platform features the ability to collect narrow and even fragment distributions, as well as the flexibility to collect wide ranges of fragments with minimal effort. 

8. Frozen Zoo (Automatic Fill liquid Nitrogen Freezer): A frozen zoo is a storage facility in which genetic materials taken from animals (e.g. DNA, sperm, eggs, embryos and live tissue) are stored at very low temperatures (−196 °C) in tanks of liquid nitrogen. Liquid Nitrogen Cryostorage freezer for long- term storage of cell culture Lines. 

9. Agilent Tape Station: The Agilent Tape Station system is an automated electrophoresis solution for the sample quality control of DNA and RNA samples. The system integrates an instrument, data processing software, reagents, and ScreenTape devices specific for DNA and RNA. It is suitable to analyze size, quantity, and Integrity of samples. For RNA, DNA and protein analysis. Includes 2200 TapeStation instrument, laptop with 2200 TapeStation software, accessories, consumables and user information. 

II. CONFOCAL-LIKE IMAGING FACILITY 

1. Zeiss Axio Imager.Z2 with ApoTome.2: The microscope is capable of acquiring images by creating optical sections of the fluorescent samples. The advanced imaging with brilliant optics and bright fluorescence helps in capturing image with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. The ApoTome facilitates capturing and rendering of the image with axial resolution that is comparable to that achieved by either confocal or deconvolution techniques. 

III. CELL CULTURE FACILITY: The cell culture facility consists of equipment and reagents to support cell culture experiments. The facility is equipped with major instruments like laminar flow hoods, incubators and microscopes. 

Science 209-211; 213; & 246-250 

1. Cytovison Platform by Leica:(S211) Microscope and software system that allows for capture of chromosomes in metaphase for karyotyping and Fluroscent In-situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis. CytoVision is fully integrated with a range of microscopes and cameras from manual capture systems to fully motorized and automated Microscopes. 

2. Cryogenetic Drying Chamber: Developed in cooperation with Mayo Clinic, Thermotron’s Cytogenetic Drying Chamber, the CDS-5, was specifically designed for conducting Cytogentic slide drying tests during harvest of in situ and non-in situ grown cultures. 

3. Olympus CKX53 Inverted Microscope (3): The Olympus CKX53 inverted microscope delivers excellent performance and a comfortable workflow for a variety of cell culture needs including live cell observation, cell sampling and handling, image capture, and fluorescence observation. It enables simplified and efficient cell observation, for faster cell culture operations. 

4. Eppendorf® Galaxy® 170S CO2 Incubator: Galaxy 170 S CO2 incubators are high-capacity, 170 liter incubators provide the perfect CO2 incubation environment for cell cultures. Gentle convection circulation of the chamber atmosphere maintains stable temperatures and CO2 control throughout the chamber. Unlike traditional forced-air culture systems, this design protects against wide fluctuations in temperature and CO2 that stress cells. No fan is required, which eliminates a classic source of contamination, disturbing vibrations, and costly HEPA filters. 

5. Additionally the facility is equipped with instruments like Eppendorf Thermocyclers, laminar flow hoods, centrifuges, incubators and a Milli-Q ultrapure laboratory water system which are all crucial components of cutting edge biological workflows. 

IV. CONFERENCE ROOMS/LEARNING CENTERS: Rooms S216 and S222, equipped with projectors and webcams, serve as dedicated areas.