University of Chicago Cancer Research Center - DNA Sequencing Facility

Template Submission Instructions

Revised 1/24/97

Introduction

Users of the UCCRC-DNA Sequencing Facility need to provide a form containing both template and billing information. This is generally done electronically in one of two ways. Forms can be filled in online using a Web browser such as Netscape. Alternatively, if users have access to computers connected to the campus network, they can submit FileMaker Pro forms by dropping them into a folder on the facility's server.

Template Submission Using a Web Browser

1. Use your Web browser (Netscape is recommended) to connect to our home page and choose the appropriate order form for your browser.
2. Fill out the form and press the submit button once you are sure the information is correct. We accept DP forms (preferred), but can also bill specific grants. Please note the reply page following submission. Our address is:

University of Chicago,
DNA Sequencing Core
Knapp Center, room R022
924 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

Setting up for FileMaker Pro submissions

1. Connect to the CRC Sequencing Facility server by opening the Chooser, selecting Appleshare, picking the BSD Learning Center zone, and double-clicking the Cancer-seqbase server. In the dialog choose "Guest", then choose Public Folder from the list.

2. If you do not have a copy of FileMaker Pro on your computer, copy the files "FileMaker Pro 2.0 Folder.sea", "KeyAccess" init, and the "How.to.use.KeyAccess" document. Copy the "User Cancer Center Template" and the "Template preparation protocol" as well. If you have a working copy of FileMaker Pro, just copy the template and protocol files, and skip down to the Template Submission section.

3. Drag the "Key Access" init into your system folder, if it is not already installed. It should automatically be placed into the extensions folder.

4. Run the "FileMaker Pro 2.0 Folder.sea" file by double-clicking it to install FileMaker Pro.

5. Restart your computer to allow the KeyAccess init to be loaded, then choose it from the Chooser, select the AIT zone, then choose "KeyServer". Click the "Log On" button, and optionally the "Configure" button. Read the "How.to.use.KeyAccess" file to acquaint yourself with the purpose of "KeyAccess".

Template Submission using FileMaker Pro

1. Run FileMaker Pro and open the "User Cancer Center Template" file. Note that this is a stationery file, and cannot be written over. A new file will be created each time the template file is opened. Please rename this file with your lab name and user name prior to submitting it. This template file is password protected to avoid accidental changes to the layout. Just use a blank password to enter data. There are two layouts in the template file that need to be filled out, the user layout, providing information about the user, lab, grant to be charged, and contact information, and the template layout, providing information about the DNA being submitted. Some fields are mandatory in the user layout, such as P.I. name, User name, and grant number.

2. Fill out the template file, and drop it into the "Template Drop" folder on the "Cancer-seqbase" server (connect as above, but choose the "Template Drop" folder). You will not be able to see the file after you have dropped it into the Template Drop folder. If a message that a file with this name exists (because of a prior submission), rename the file slightly (e.g. add a number or letter to the end of the name).


Sequence Retrieval

1. For the first time submission from a lab, a user name and password will be provided when the sequences are ready. Follow the instructions on the download form to retrieve your sequences.

2. Two files will be provided for each template sequenced, a chromatogram file and a text file of sequence. Software is available for viewing and manipulating the chromatograms on our home page. Free demos of the program Sequencher from GeneCodes Corp. (URL: http://www.branch.com/genecodes/) are available for viewing chromatograms and making non-savable alignments. Files will be stored for a minimum of two months, but will be purged as space is needed beyond this time.

Note: Please contact us by phone at (773) 702-1088 for problems or clarifications.