Microbial Sequencing Center

The Microbial Sequencing Center (MSC) was created by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to help transform biodefense and infectious disease research by creating resources for DNA sequencing and comparative genome analysis. This five-year project will sequence hundreds of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as parasites and insect vectors of disease. Sequencing projects are designed to take advantage of comparative approaches to analyzing the sequence of key pathogenic organisms and closely related species. For example, by sequencing and comparing many strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, scientists will try to identify genes and evolutionary processes involved in pathogenicity and drug resistance.

The MSC provides the opportunity for researchers with knowledge about specific microbes to collaborate with scientists at Broad with expertise in high-throughput sequencing and genome analysis to address questions in infectious disease. All data, as well as new analytical tools, are shared publicly to advance research in pathogenicity, drug resistance, disease transmission, and vaccine development.

Bruce Birren, Director of the Microbial Sequencing Center, is also Co-Director of the Genome Analysis Program and leads the FGI. James Galagan, Associate Director: Microbial Genome Analysis, leads the analysis of microbial genomes for the MSC and FGI. Matthew Henn, Research Scientist, is responsible for scientific and project development. Miguel Ilzabe, Assistant Director, Genome Analysis Program, is responsible for organizational development and project management.

Click here for a description of our automated gene calling process.

Contact the MSC: msc@broad.mit.edu