Microarrays have proven to be a useful and high-throughput method to provide targeted DNA sequence information for up to many thousands of specific genetic regions in a single test. A
microarray consists of multiple DNA oligonucleotide probes that, under high stringency conditions, hybridize only to specific complementary nucleic acid sequences (targets). A fluorescent signal indicates the presence and, in many cases, the abundance of genetic regions of interest.
Microarrays are used in
microbial ecology, especially with the recent increase in
microbial community DNA sequence data. Of particular interest to microbial ecologists, phylogenetic microarrays are used for the analysis of phylotypes in a community and functional gene arrays are used for the analysis of functional genes, and, by inference, phylotypes in environmental samples. See also:
Metagenomics: Theory, Methods and ApplicationsA phylogenetic microarray that has been developed by the Andersen laboratory, the
PhyloChip, is an example of a microarray that targets the known diversity within the 16S rRNA gene to determine microbial community composition. Using multiple, confirmatory probes to increase the confidence of detection and a mismatch probe for every perfect match probe to minimize the effect of cross-hybridization by non-target regions, the PhyloChip is able to simultaneously identify any of thousands of taxa present in an environmental sample. The PhyloChip is shown to reveal greater diversity within a community than rRNA gene sequencing due to the placement of the entire gene product on the microarray compared with the analysis of up to thousands of individual molecules by traditional sequencing methods.
A functional gene array that has been developed by the Zhou laboratory, the
GeoChip, is an example of a microarray that dynamically identifies functional activities of multiple members within a community. The recent version of GeoChip contains more than 24,000 50mer oligonucleotide probes and covers more than 10,000 gene sequences in 150 gene categories involved in carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus cycling, metal resistance and reduction, and organic contaminant degradation. GeoChip can be used as a generic tool for microbial community analysis, and also link microbial community structure to ecosystem functioning.
from Gary L. Andersen
in Environmental Molecular MicrobiologyFurther reading:
Labels: DNA microarray, DNA microarrays, GeoChip, microarray, Microarrays, PhyloChip, Phylogenetic microarray
DNA microarray is a multiplex technology used in molecular biology, medicine and bioscience. A
microarray an arrayed series of thousands of microscopic spots of DNA on a small piece of glass or silicon. These are commonly known as gene chips, biochips or "
lab on a chip".
A new two-volume book "Lab-on-a-Chip Technology" was published recently. The book describes the recent innovations in the microarray field and the applications in the fields of medicine, molecular biology, biotechnology and bioscience.
Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and Analysis ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9
Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and Microfluidics ISBN: 978-1-904455-46-2
CURRENT BOOKS OF INTEREST
Metagenomics: Theory, Methods and ApplicationsAspergillus: Molecular Biology and GenomicsEnvironmental Molecular MicrobiologyNeisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of PathogenesisFrontiers in Dengue Virus ResearchABC Transporters in MicroorganismsPili and FlagellaLab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and AnalysisLab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and MicrofluidicsBacterial PolysaccharidesMicrobial ToxinsAcanthamoebaBacterial Secreted ProteinsLactobacillusMycobacteriumReal-Time PCRClostridiaPlant Pathogenic BacteriaBiopolymersPlasmidsPasteurellaceaeVibrio choleraePathogenic FungiHelicobacter pyloriCorynebacteriaStaphylococcusLeishmaniaArchaeaLegionellaRNA and the Regulation of Gene ExpressionMolecular Oral MicrobiologyLabels: biochip, DNA microarray, DNA microarrays, gene chip, lab on a chip, microarray