DNA Microarray:
A Recombinant DNA Method
Basic Steps to Microarray:
• Obtain cells with genes that are needed for
analysis.
• Isolate the mRNA using extraction buffer.
– Remove the buffer with RNA.
– The mRNA will be 5’-3’ with repeating AAA..end.
• Convert each mRNA into colored cDNA.
– Targets labeled with fluorophores.
Basic Steps to Microarray:
• With mRNA degraded reverse cDNA created.
• Mix colored samples of cDNA.
Microarray or DNA Chip:
• Every spot on the chip
represents a different
coding sequence from
different genes.
• Each spot on the chip is
made of a DNA probe
that can pair with the
cDNA that was created.
Basic Steps to Microarray:
• Incubation with the mixed cDNA and the chip
DNA will yield some pairing.
• Wash off unbound cDNA to see what has
bound to the microarray.
Visualizing Bound cDNA:
• The slide with the microarray chip is placed
inside a dark box where it is scanned with a
high resolution laser that detects the bound
fluorescent labels.
– The information and images are then sent to the
computer for analysis.
Analyzing the Data:
• Creates a ratio image.
• Green images signal
expression in one
condition.
• Red images signal
expression in one
condition.
• Yellow images signal
expression in both
conditions.
Capacities:
• Not limited to human genetic material.
– Can be used for all species.
• Can display thousands of different genes.
– Pending chip size.
• 100’s nucleotides (<1 cm^2)
• 100,000’s nucleotides (about 10 cm^2)
• Allows the study of multiple genes at once.
Types of Microarray:
• Pre-synthesized nucleic acids.
– Bought cDNA.
• Oligonucleotide synthesis in situ.
– Creating cDNA in question.
Microarray Application:
• Identifying gene’s and gene mutations of
different types of diseases such as cancer.
• Identifying the expression level, or quantity of
genes (mutated or not).
Definitions:
• Target - the nucleic acid (cDNA) sample who’s identity and
quantity are being measured.
• Fluorophore – usually green and red labels attached to the
target to enable visualizing expression.
• Microarray works as reverse hybridization method converting
from mRNA to cDNA 3’-5’ with TTTT…end.
• Probe – an attached nucleic acid with a known sequence (the
DNA chip).