Research Centers & Labs

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Psychiatric & Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit Core Lab

Director: Smoller, Jordan, M.D., Sc.D.

About the core lab:

This resource provides custom genotyping (SNP, other), qPCR for CNV detection/confirmation, DNA extraction, quantification, sample preparation, tracking, and storage, and related services to further the PNGU mission of identifying and characterizing the genetic basis of psychiatric, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders and to translate these discoveries to improvements in clinical care and public health.

The PNGU Core lab is located within the Center for Human Genetic Research at Massachusetts General Hospital:

Richard B. Simches Research Center
CPZN-6300
185 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114

 


Laboratory Research Team


Patience GallagherPatience Gallagher, Lab Project Manager

Patience Gallagher is the lab project manager for the Smoller lab and for the Center for Human Genetic Research. She graduated with a BS from Calvin College with a biology major and a minor in psychology. Her research interests include the intersection of psychology, genetics, and medicine. Patience's hometown is Coshocton, Ohio, and in her free time, she enjoys running, yoga, and baking.

 

 

 


Steve HaddadSteve Haddad, Lab Project Manager

Steve Haddad is the lab project manager for the Smoller lab and for the Center for Human Genetic Research. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College (BA, Biology) and the Harvard School of Public Health (MS, Epidemiology). Steve’s research interests include anxiety, depression and autism genetics. Steve grew up in Byfield, MA and enjoys basketball, tennis and sailing.

 

 

 


Brian GallowayBrian Galloway, Research Technologist
Brian Galloway is a lab equipment manager for the Center for Human Genetic Research. Brian graduated from UMass Lowell with a BS in biotech (molecular bio/recombinant DNA). His research interests include vaccines, recombinant DNA based therapies, elucidation of cellular mechanics, product related R&D, and teaching. Brian also enjoys astronomy, history, SCUBA, skiing, backpacking/outdoors (all seasons), museums, scotch and BBQ.

 

 

 


Sarah AndrusSarah Andrus, Research Lab Technician

Sarah Andrus is a research lab technician for the Psychiatric Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Unit. Sarah graduated from Hamilton College with a BA in french and biology. Her research interests include anxiety and neurodegenerative diseases. Sarah's hometown is Norwich, Vermont. In her free time, Sarah enjoys singing, skiing, and hiking.

 

 

 


Jon ChaponisJonathan Chaponis, Research Lab Technician

Jonathan Chaponis is a research lab technician for the Psychiatric Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Unit. Jon graduated with a BA in Neuroscience from Hamilton College, and his research interests include ADHD. His hometown is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and his hobbies include music production, snowboarding, and taekwondo.

 

 

 


Sarah WeatherallSarah Weatherall, Research Lab Technician

Sarah Weatherall is a research lab technician for the Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit. She graduated with a BA from Hamilton College with a biology major and a minor in Hispanic studies. Her research interests include the genetics of anxiety and mood disorders. Sarah’s hometown is Wellesley, Massachusetts, and in her free time, she enjoys reading, running, and yoga.

 

 

 


Aaron WolfAaron Wolf, Research Lab Technician

Aaron Wolf is a research lab technician for the Psychiatric Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Unit. Aaron graduated from Oberlin College with a BA in anthropology and biology. His research interests include genetics related to social behaviors and language ability. Aaron's hometown is Arlington, Massachusetts, and he enjoys bicycling, cooking, and farming.

 

 

 


Alex ZaitsevAlexander Zaitsev, PhD, MS, Application Developer

Alexander Zaitsev is an Application Developer for the Smoller Group and the Autism Consortium. He got his BS in Biophysics at Moscow Institute for Engineering Physics, his PhD in Biology at Moscow State University, and his MS in Computer Science at Purdue University in Indiana. His main interests are in Laboratory Information Management Systems, Processing Automation, and Predictive Data Analytics. Alexander grew up in Moscow and is proud to be an American since 2002. He enjoys traveling, museums, trade shows, and outdoor activities including commute bicycling, tennis, and small boat sailing.


 

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Facilities and Equipment:

Location of Core:
Massachusetts General Hospital,
Center for Human Genetic Research,
Richard B. Simches Research Center, CPZN-6300,
185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114

Major Equipment:

  • Sequenom MassARRAY system
  • Roche 480 LightCycler Real-Time PCR system
  • TECAN (span-4, span-8, 96 well head, PnP arm)
  • Beckman Coulter Multimek
  • Beckman Coulter NX
  • Thermo Scientific Matrix PlateMate 2x2

 

 

Services:

  • DNA extraction, quantification, sample preparation, tracking, and storage

     

  • SNP genotyping

     

  • qPCR for CNV detection/confirmation

     

  • Genetic analysis services

     

  • Project management, setup, and design

 

Fee Schedule:

For pricing information, please contact:


Patience Gallagher
pgallagher@pngu.mgh.harvard.edu
Project Manager
Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit
Center for Human Genetic Research
Massachusetts General Hospital
185 Cambridge St.; Room 6300
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617-724-3184

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