Micro-array technology allows expression up to a level of thousands of genes to be measured simultaneously. The technology allows the isolation of messenger RNA, conversion into complementary DNA, labelling with a fluorescent group, and hybridisation by micro-array. In this process, labelled DNA molecules are bound to the corresponding gene in the array. The signals of the micro-array are then read with the help of a laser scanner, and the intensity of the signals provides information on the expression level of each gene in the array.
At RIKILT, micro-array technology is applied in various activities, including the study of the health effects of organic bioactive substances (nutrigenomics), effect studies on contaminants and GMOs (toxicogenomics), and detection applications (for the detection of micro-organisms in food, for instance). RIKILT’s micro-array facility also has at its disposal expertise and infrastructure for hybridising and analysing Agilent arrays. Arrays are produced in-house for the purpose of studying expressions of genes in potatoes and tomatoes and detecting micro-organisms.
For more information, please contact Jeroen van Dijk.