Instrumentation

Agilent Technologies 2100 Bioananlyser, Illumina Beadstation, Tecan robotics, Tecan 400 Pro hybridization station, Agilent 4200 Scanner and assorted small instrumentation.
Samples are run on an Agilent 2100 biochip

for quality control and must pass QC to be used. A Nanodrop instrument reading is also taken prior to the start of any processing.

Arrays

While the Microarray core can process arrays commercially purchased from Agilent, Nugene and Eppendorf, the most powerful platform are bead based arrays from Illumina
These arrays are based on 3 um silica beads: (Insert photo)
Each array has about 1x106 beads with each transcript replicated ~30 times.  The results give extraordinary statistics. –(insert photo)

High density SNP profiling (Illumina) and microRNA arrays (Exiqon 2 color ) are also available. Preliminary data analysis assistance is always provided with results provided in an Excel workbook that includes: All genes on the array, all genes expressed in each sample with p<1.01. all genes differentially expressed (typically P<0.001) between groups.  This data can easily be exported for further analysis.  The core supplies a computer and a brief into Ingenuity, a pathway software package, for a small user fee.
For more information make an appointment to speak with the core director of the Microarray Core.

RNA and DNA Quantification

Total RNA should be clean as possible.  A column clean up method is highly recommended.  Amounts of RNA needed vary depending on the platform and study being done.  For Illumina expression arrays 10 µl of 100 ng/µl is usually required.  For any other formats and lower amounts of RNA contact the Microarray Core Lab for help in determining amounts needed.