What are the uses of a microarray?
A microarray is a laboratory tool used to detect the expression of thousands of genes at the same time. DNA microarrays are microscope slides that are printed with thousands of tiny spots in defined positions, with each spot containing a known DNA sequence or gene.
How does a microarray work and how is it used?
The principle behind microarrays is that complementary sequences will bind to each other. The unknown DNA molecules are cut into fragments by restriction endonucleases; fluorescent markers are attached to these DNA fragments. Then the target DNA fragments along with complementary sequences bind to the DNA probes.
How can a microarray be used to diagnose a disease?
Diagnostic DNA microarrays have been used for genotyping and determination of disease-relevant genes or agents causing diseases, mutation analysis, screening of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), detection of chromosome abnormalities, and global determination of posttranslational modification.
Which is the most common use of microarrays in research?
The most well known use of DNA microarrays is for profiling messenger RNA levels; however, DNA microarrays have also been used to detect DNA–protein (e.g. transcription factor-binding site and transcription factor) interactions, alternatively spliced variants, the epigenetic status of the genome (such as methylation …
What is microarray technology?
Microarray technology is a developing technology used to study the expression of many genes at once. It involves placing thousands of gene sequences in known locations on a glass slide called a gene chip. A sample containing DNA or RNA is placed in contact with the gene chip.
Why is cDNA used in microarray?
In terms of application, cDNA microarray technology leads to the identification of specific genes and allows researchers to compare the profiles of gene expression in normal versus pathological conditions in various organisms.
Why is DNA microarray an important tool?
DNA microarray is an effective tool in transcriptomics that helps us in studying and analyzing the mRNA expression of almost every gene present in an organism. With the availability of whole-genome sequencing of microorganisms, it has now become possible to identify the genes with potential for bioremediation.
Why would DNA microarrays be useful in understanding diseases?
Today, DNA microarrays are used in clinical diagnostic tests for some diseases. Sometimes they are also used to determine which drugs might be best prescribed for particular individuals, because genes determine how our bodies handle the chemistry related to those drugs.
How is microarray analysis used today?
Today, DNA microarrays are used in clinical diagnostic tests for some diseases. Microarrays can also be used to study the extent to which certain genes are turned on or off in cells and tissues. In this case, instead of isolating DNA from the samples, RNA (which is a transcript of the DNA) is isolated and measured.
What kind of tools are used in microarray analysis?
The most common tools used to carry out these measurements include complementary DNA microarrays, oligonucleotide microarrays, or serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Microarray analysis can be divided into two main steps: probe production and target (cDNA) production.
How is the process of photolithography used in microfabrication?
Photolithography. Photolithography, also termed optical lithography or UV lithography, is a process used in microfabrication to pattern parts of a thin film or the bulk of a substrate. It uses light to transfer a geometric pattern from a photomask to a light-sensitive chemical ” photoresist “, or simply “resist,” on the substrate.
How are the dyes used in a microarray?
Since mRNA is degraded easily, it is necessary to convert it into a more stable cDNA form. Labeling of cDNA is done by fluorochrome dyes Cy3 (green) and Cy5 (red). The principle behind microarrays is that complementary sequences will bind to each other.
How are microarrays used in functional genomics?
Functional genomics is the study of gene function through parallel expression measurements of a genome. The most common tools used to carry out these measurements include complementary DNA microarrays, oligonucleotide microarrays, or serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE).