Vaughn CooperIf you’ve used microbial #genome #sequencing services from my lab’s core facility or from the business that spun out (both called MiGS), thank you. However, as you may know, I was excluded from this center last year. Due to some ongoing confusion, I’m sharing further details (1/x)
Next-gen sequencing was revolutionary for our research. We all soon needed fast access to these data on a scale and economy appropriate for microbial clones or populations. A goal of my lab was to build this capacity and then share it with colleagues like you. (2/x)
This core was immediately successful and intellectually rewarding. I loved hearing about your exciting research and offering design and analysis tips. I called it the Microbial Genome Sequencing center, or MiGS for short (3/x)
By 2019 we could no longer manage demand through university contracts, so my technician at the time took the lead in spinning MiGS out as an independent company, with me in the background (4/x).
Unfortunately, last year, my involvement in that company was involuntarily terminated, which led to an ongoing legal dispute. In addition to forcing me out of the business, the technician also chose to “rebrand” MiGS as SeqCenter, while claiming that nothing had changed (5/x)
Because some of you may continue to use that company partly because of my affiliation, I must state that I now have no connection to the operation of MiGS or SeqCenter. (6/x)
Regardless, I will continue to celebrate the 100s of publications citing MiGS that improve understanding of microbes. I also continue to run my lab’s facility and advise genomic analysis companies with the mission of making microbial genomics easier and more powerful for all.
Thank you for your support! (7/end) 🦠🧬
Small Things Considered@vscooper good to see that you didn't post this on twitter only. sorry you had to post this at all.
@STCmicrobeblog thank you on both counts!