Dr Amy Denton, MA MRes VetMB MRCVS

Technical Specialist

Amy is a Technical Specialist in the Tree of Life Core Lab. Her main responsibilities include undertaking R&D related to automation and optimisation of DNA extraction, as well as performing routine DNA and RNA extractions for samples submitted to the lab. Amy is the Chordate Representative for the team, processing the birds, mammals, amphibians and fish for PacBio and ONT sequencing. 

Amy primarily performs routine automated HMW DNA extraction and RNA extraction on the KingFisher Apex on a variety of samples that are submitted to the lab, however she also performs cryogenic sample preparation, manual HMW DNA extraction, HMW DNA shearing and DNA pooling.

As the Chordate Representative for the team, she is responsible for tracking the progress of chordate samples through the ToL Core Lab, performing R&D on any samples that do not proceed through the routine protocols. This is a role that she particularly enjoys, resulting from her background involving working with animals, with a degree in Veterinary Medicine with Zoology in her third year from the University of Cambridge.

She is currently undertaking R&D relating to DNA extraction optimisation and process automation using the KingFisher Apex and Opentrons OT-2.

Amy is also the Ergonomic Champion for the ToL Core Lab.

My timeline

• Technical Specialist, Tree of Life Core Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute

• Advanced Research Assistant, Tree of Life Core Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute

• Genetic Technologist, Oncologica UK

• RNA Extraction Technician, Loughborough Lighthouse Laboratory, Perkin Elmer

• Molecular Pathology MRes, University of Nottingham

• Veterinary Medicine BA & VetMB, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge