Microarrays are small ordered arrays of gene fragments attached to glass microscope slides (chips). Collections of these fragments, including various organisms such as mouse and human, can be in the form of cDNA clones or synthetic oligonucleotides. For cDNA collections, clones are obtained, replicated and archived. The gene fragments are amplified using polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) methods, purified and checked for quality. Using a robotic system, the fragments are printed to produce arrays with spot sizes ranging from 100-200 microns and spot densities of over 18,000 genes per chip. These arrays can be used to measure the level of gene expression using a hybridization reaction between the sequences on the microarray and fluorescent-labeled samples. After hybridization, the chips are "read" using the Axon 4000B scanner and the intensity of each spot is quantified using Genepix image analysis software. The location and intensity of each spot reveals the identity and amount of each sequence present in the sample. The data can be further analyzed using a variety of bioinformatic software including Spotfire. Because thousands or tens of thousands of gene fragments can be placed on a single microarray, data for entire genomes (e.g. yeast, bacterial, viral, etc.) can be acquired in a single experiment.
Services
We can work with most any spotted microarray from commercial vendors or collaborators.
Please stop by room DT1008, call extension 4156, or email one of our staff if you have questions or concerns.