Australian Drosophila Transgenic Facility (ADTF)

The Australian Drosophila Transgenic Facility (ADTF), supported by Phenomics Australia and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, provides specialised services for Drosophila melanogaster research, including microinjection services for generating transgenic lines and quarantine services for imported fly stocks.

Microinjection Services

This facility offers the following approaches for transgenesis in D. melanogaster:

• PhiC31 integrase-mediated transgenesis ($500): A highly efficient approach enabling site-specific integration of transgenes into the D. melanogaster genome at predefined locations. Available stocks include:
  • attP2 (y w nanos-int; P{CaryP}attP2).
  • attP40 (y w vas-int; P{CaryP}attP40) (Note: vas-int is marked with GFP and RFP in the eyes).
  • We also maintain vermillion stocks for flies with these attP integration sites (BDSC#25709 and BDSC#25710).
• P-element-mediated transgenesis ($600): A classical method involving the introduction of transgenes via the P-element transposon system. It is important to note that this method leads to random integration, potentially resulting in positional effects that can influence the activity of transgenes.

Starting your request:

• If you're a first-time user, create an iLab account to get started. If you need any assistance with registration process please consult our guide or contact us.
• Use the "Request Services" tab to submit your service request.
• If you are preparing your own plasmid, we strongly recommend harvesting E. coli cultures after ~12–16 hours of growth (typically during the transition from logarithmic to stationary phase) or using a plasmid preparation kit with endotoxin removal. High endotoxin levels can significantly reduce embryo viability during microinjection.
• Please check that the A260/A280 ratio is approximately 1.8-1.9 (i.e., minimal protein and other contaminants) and the A260/A230 ratio is at least 2.0 (i.e., minimal contamination from organic compounds, salts and other reagents).
• Once your request is approved, please send us your purified plasmid samples in pure water (please check that the plasmid has a concentration of at least 400 ng/µl and a total volume of at least 30 µl) to the following address:

The workflow:

• After receiving your plasmid sample, we'll commence work on your order.
• Our service covers microinjection, followed by screening, and then dispatching the transgenic flies to you.
• We'll provide milestone updates throughout the process.

Quarantine Services

The ADTF offers a Drosophila quarantine service, allowing you to import D. melanogaster stocks through the ADTF and complete the required quarantine process before the stocks are released to your laboratory.

The quarantine service is available through the following options:

Annual subscription — $1,000 per year

• Covers up to 100 stocks
• Additional stocks can be added at $10 per stock (e.g. $2,000 per year for up to 200 stocks)

Per-stock service — $30 per stock

• Laboratories that do not wish to take up an annual subscription will still be able to use the ADTF quarantine service on a per-stock basis.
• The cost will be $30 per stock, in addition to the applicable Bloomington stock and shipping costs.

Communal Ordering

We have a communal ordering system in place for Bloomington stocks (and also VDRC Stocks). This will allow participating laboratories to combine orders, providing more frequent ordering opportunities while sharing international shipping costs, which will reduce the cost of individual shipments. For more information on how to join the communal ordering system, please contact us.

Summary of Costs

Please do not hestiate to contact us if you have any questions!

alex.giang@petermac.org

Our Team

Co-head: Professor Kieran Harvey and Professor Louise Cheng

Facility Operator / Technician: Dr Alex Giang

Links and Resources

• ADTF Site
• ADTF iLAB Registration Guide
• ADTF Information Booklet

Acknowledgments

The ADTF is based at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and is supported by the Federal Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) initiative and by Phenomics Australia.

Contacts