The Duke Center for Genome Technology was established in 1999 as a resource for the development of advanced technologies for genome analysis. The Center has developed the infrastructure and expertise for a range of activities including large scale DNA sequencing, DNA microarray analysis for high-throughput measures of gene expression, SAGE analysis for comprehensive determinations of transcriptional programs, and various gene mapping and isolation strategies. In addition, the Center also plays a key and integral role in the development of the bioinformatics tools to facilitate the analysis of genomic data. The generation of the massive data sets from sequencing and array analysis, which represents the power of these approaches, also creates entirely new challenges with respect to data analysis. It is clear that an initiative to further develop genomic technology and methods for functional genomic analysis must be carried out in parallel and in close association with the development of a bioinformatics program. As such, the development of the Center for Genome Technology has proceeded in close association with a Duke Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.

The Center for Genome Technology is the home for investigators actively engaged in the development of new and novel approaches to genome analysis through technology enhancement and development. In addition, the Center also provides support for Duke investigators in the application of these technologies for their research. The Center is organized into two principal components that include the DNA Sequencing Center and the DNA Microarray Center.