
The Sequencing and Discovery Genomics team provides technical and collaborative support to Stowers scientists who need to perform nucleic acid sequencing in the course of their research, including traditional and next-generation techniques.
Members of the Sequencing and Discovery Genomics team consult with researchers to understand their unique needs, and provide expert guidance, tools, and assistance for project completion. They also participate in cutting-edge application and technology development, and provide education and training to researchers in multiple areas of genomics.
As Stowers was one of the first institutes in the Midwest region to offer Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) through Illumina platforms, the team has extensive experience with this technology. Rapid high-throughput, short-read sequencing is offered in-house using the Illumina NGS platforms. For projects requiring long-reads, outsourcing for PacBio sequencing is offered using trusted external partners. In addition to NGS, the team performs high-throughput plasmid preparation and Sanger sequencing.
- llumina HiSeq 2500
- Illumina NextSeq 500
- Illumina MiSeq
- 10X Genomics Chromium Controller
- Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzers
- Advanced Analytical/Agilent Femto Pulse System
- Sage Science Pippin Prep/BluePippin
- Covaris S220 Focused Ultrasonicator
- PerkinElmer Sciclone NGS Workstation
- Beckman Coulter Biomek FXp
- Formulatrix Mantisou w
- Thermo Fisher Scientific/ABI 3730 DNA Analyzers
- Invitrogen Qubit Fluorometers

With a BS degree in biology, Anoja Perera began honing her skills in DNA sequencing, genomics applications, automation, and high throughput processing while working with Raju Kucherlapati, PhD, on the original Human and Mouse Genome Projects. After several years’ experience as group leader for sequencing at the Harvard-Partners Center of Genetics and Genomics in Cambridge, MA, she joined the Stowers Molecular Biology group. Perera served as senior lab manager from 2006 until 2019 when she was appointed Director of the Sequencing and Discovery Genomics group. In this role, Perera seeks to advance research by making cutting-edge sequencing technologies available to the scientific staff. For many years, Perera has been an active member of the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities and served on multiple committees including the organization’s Executive Board.