DNA microarray analysis is a multiplex assay used in molecular biology and diagnostic medicine to determine gene expression patterns in cells. The technique involves lining up DNA or RNA probes on a solid surface and analyzing the results to develop a list of genes that were present in the original cell extract. It is commonly used in gene expression profiling, comparative genomic hybridization, and SNP detection.
DNA microarray analysis is used in molecular biology and diagnostic medicine to determine which genes in a cell are being turned on at any given time. This technique is known as a multiplex assay because it can measure thousands of samples in a single assay. DNA microanalysis techniques are used to interpret data from RNA and DNA assays, depending on the particular needs of the experiment.
The basis of DNA microarray analysis is the high specificity of DNA molecules and the ability to choose unique DNA sequences to represent a particular gene. A microarray analysis experiment is performed on a solid surface consisting of a glass or silicone chip on which a chemical matrix is placed. On the matrix surface the DNA or RNA probes are lined up in neat rows.
Once the chip has been set up with the required probes, the studied cells are prepared. To prepare cells, they need to be opened so that the nucleic acids they contain can be isolated. A series of reagents are added to extract and concentrate the nucleic acids contained within the cells. Next, the nucleic acid extract is added to the chip, which is then left for several hours to allow the probes to interact and bind to the cellular nucleic acids. Finally, an additional set of reagents is added to the chip to identify the locations where cellular nucleic acids have bound to the probes.
Microarray analysis is then used to determine which probes were able to detect cellular nucleic acids. This is often a complex analysis, as a single chip can contain tens of thousands of unique probes. The order of the probes on the chip is stored in a computer database so that results can be obtained easily. Using the chip and the database, a scientist can develop a list of genes that bound to the probes and were therefore present in the original cell extract.
The microarray analysis technique is commonly used in gene expression profiling. In this type of experiment, the microarray is set up to examine gene expression patterns in cells. Probes for genes of interest are included in the microarray, and when the experiment is complete, analysis of the microarray data can determine which of the genes studied have been activated at any given time.
Other uses for this technique include comparative genomic hybridization and SNP detection. Comparative genomic hybridization is a test that examines the genomic content in cells of related organisms. This type of analysis provides information on the genetic relationships between different species.
SNP detection is a technique that can be used in forensic analysis, genetic linkage analysis, and genetic disease risk assessment. SNPs are single nucleotide polymorphisms, locations on the genome where there are two possible base pair sequences. SNPs can provide a variety of useful genetic information due to the fact that different variations of SNPs exist in different ethnic and geographic populations.
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