BTP Core Service

The ARC-BTP has implemented high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing and genotyping technologies within the platform, with the capacity to genotype thousands of samples, or generates large volumes of data from single samples.

The current technologies available in the platform include:

Next generation sequencing and genotyping platforms
Liquid handling robotics systems
Laser capture micro-dissection microscope

~~ Click HERE to download BTP Services ~~

BTP Core Staff Members

	Dr Minique de Castro Application Specialist: Next Generation Sequencing E-mail: decastrom@arc.agric.za Phone: +27 (0)12 529 9483 External links: Google Scholar link Dr de Castro holds a PhD degree in Life Sciences at the University of South Africa. At the Genomics Core Facility, she is responsible for library preparation and sequencing using Next Generation Sequencing technologies.
	Dr Quentin C. Santana Application Specialist: Bioinformatics Email: SantanaQ@arc.agric.za Phone: +27 (0)12 529 9483 Google Scholar Link: https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=grg6tKMAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao Dr Santana is an Application Specialist in Bioinformatics and provides biological data analysis services on genomes and transcriptomes and helps with the dissemination of data for clients of the BTP-Core facility. Dr Santana holds a PhD in Genetics from the University of Pretoria. His research interests include genomics and evolution in fungal plant pathogens.
	Mr. Thabang MT Madisha Application Specialist: Next Generation Sequencing Email: madisham@arc.agric.za Phone: +27 (0)12 529 9483 ORCID: 0000-0002-7295-9283 Google Scholar Link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=dGu2GL0AAAAJ Mr Thabang has over 10 years of experience, having moved up from genes to genomes. This experience spans multidisciplinary fields from conservation to forensic genetics at both industry and academic level. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape.
	Nompilo Hlongwane Application Specialist: Genotyping and Next Generation Sequencing E-mail: HlongwaneN@arc.agric.za Phone: +27 (0)12 529 9482 Nompilo Hlongwane (MSc) is an Application Specialist: Genotyping in the ARC-CORE. Ms Hlongwane conducts genome-wide SNP genotyping within the Biotechnology Platform for the provision of services within research programs. Nompilo is currently pursuing a PhD in Genetics at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Her research focus is genetic diversity, population genomics and signatures of selection in indigenous pigs. Her training enables her to provide genotyping sample preparation and SNP BeadChip data analysis support using different bioinformatics workflows.
	Tondani TM. Ramantswana Application Specialist: Next Generation Sequencing E-mail: RamantswanaT@arc.agric.za Phone: +27 (0)12 529 9483 Madeleine has an MSc in Zoology and is an Application Specialist: Next Generation Sequencing. She is responsible for library preparation and sequencing using Next Generation Sequencing technologies. is currently pursuing a PhD in Life Science focusing on RNA-Seq work with Sheep gut.
	Alister Ngobeni Application Specialist: High throughput Technologies E-mail: Ngobenia@arc.agric.za Phone: +27 (0)12 529 9483 Mr Ngobeni has an MSc Biochemistry degree from the University of Limpopo. He manages daily operations of liquid handling facility for the provision of services to research programs within the ARC and external clients. As part of the liquid handling facility he is responsible for protocols programming and optimization on the Hamilton liquid handlers.
	Nick NR. Mokotoane Application Specialist: Genotyping and Next Generation Sequencing E-mail: MokotoaneN@arc.agric.za Phone: +27 (0)12 529 9482 Mr Mokotoane holds a Bachelors and Honors degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics respectively, from the university of the Free State and has also obtained a research-based M.Sc. degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Pretoria. Although his main focus within the Genomics Core Facility is genotyping he is also involved in the NGS workflow.
	Dr Rian Pierneef - Senior Researcher Email: PierneefR@arc.agric.za Phone: +27 (0)12 529 9356 External links: Google Scholar link My research interest is currently based on prokaryotes in the agricultural environment. I am a bio-informatics scientist by training and specialize in biological data analysis. I am currently a Researcher at the ARC-Biotechnology Platform.