of the Williams–Beuren locus TCAG was also integral to publications describing the decoding of human chromosome 7, the discovery of large-scale copy number variation in the human genome, and the analysis of the first diploid human genome sequence (with the J. Craig Venter Institute). Genome Canada projects As a Science and Technology Innovation Centre of Genome Canada, TCAG currently supports numerous large-scale projects, including research on autism spectrum disorders, structural variation of the human genome, integrative biology, conditional mouse mutagenesis, interactions of signaling molecules, type I diabetes, cancer stem cells, Cystic Fibrosis, biodiversity, structural biology, and stem cells, from Genome Canada's Competition III, New Technology Development and Applied Genomics Research in Bioproducts or Crops (ABC) competitions. The centre is now working with applicants in the Large-Scale Applied Research Project and Advancing Technology Innovation Through Discovery competitions. Databases TCAG also hosts and curates websites and databases developed from supported projects, namely The Chromosome 7 Database, The Database of Genomic Variants, the Segmental Duplication Database, the Autism Chromosome Rearrangement Database, and others. These databases contain publicly available information. Core facilities TCAG employs a variety of genomic technologies to support different types of experimentation. These are organized into separate Core Facilities, with dedicated managers. Informatics and biostatistics The Bioinformatics team assists with data handling and analysis, and develops new algorithms and analytical methods, with a focus on the analysis of high-throughput ("next-generation") sequencing data. The Statistical Analysis group provides project consultation and power analysis, statistical analysis (genetic, microarray, and pathway data, epidemiology, population genetics), and copy number variation analysis, as well as developing new statistical methods. DNA sequencing and synthesis The facility uses conventional capillary Sanger sequencing on Applied Biosystems 3730xl instruments, governed by a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Additionally, next-generation sequencing (NGS) using Illumina HiSeq 2500 and HiScan SQ instruments, Life Technologies Ion Proton and Applied Biosystems SOLiD instruments, and a 454/Roche GS-FLX Titanium instrument is performed. A key component of this facility is the use of high-performance computing and bioinformatics support for NGS analysis. The Oligonucleotide Synthesis component of this facility makes conventional, long (up to 120 bases) and modified oligonucleotides, and purifies these by desalting, cartridge or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Microarray and genetic analysis The Microarray and Gene Expression Core Facility has a dedicated manager, and operates technologies from Affymetrix, Agilent and Illumina. Additionally, there is a wide variety of analytical software packages available for on-site data analysis.