About us

We started out as MicroArray Department in 1999. The laboratory was officially opened for external services at April 5, 2001. The tasks of the genomics expertise center encompassed the design, production and use of (custom-made) microarrays, as well as bioinformatics analysis of the experimental results. From 2013 on, several next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology platforms were acquired and NGS services were added. Recently, we said goodbye to the microarray technology. Nowadays, the MAD consists of a "Wet-Lab" for molecular-biology analyses collaboration and support, and a "Dry-Lab" for bioinformatics collaboration and support.

In 2003 the Integrative Bioinformatics Unit (IBU) emerged from the MAD to perform the bioinformatics research. Over the years, an increasing effort has been put in the development and optimization of the gene-expression analysis (including sample preparation), as well as innovative ways to use genomics technologies. This resulted in 2012 in the research re-focusing to "RNA Biology & Applied Bioinformatics (RB&AB)" and the founding of a research group with that name.

Since then, both the MAD and the associated RB&AB research unit have expanded and work at the frontier of genome-wide molecular-biology technology, research and data analysis. The combined know-how of a genomics expertise center including bioinformatics support proved to be a successful concept. The close collaboration of the MAD Dry-lab & Wet-lab, the RB&AB research unit, and biologists creates a stimulating environment that is beneficial to all clients and partners, today and in the future.