Streamlining microarray technology in a prototype core laboratory.

The overall scheme of a microarray experiment is summarized in Figure 3. The real benefit of using microarrays in research is gaining knowledge from the abundant data provided from the series of related microarray experiments. The core laboratory has produced three cDNA arrays, a mouse 15K array, a human 13K array, and a human apoptosis array with 350 plus apoptotic elements. Recently, the 15K array is being used in building a database for gene expression in several areas of the mouse brain and for studying transgenic and knockout mice. The apoptosis array has been used by cancer researchers to further elucidate changes and interactions between genes leading to cell death and cancer. The UCHSC Gene Expression Array Core is supported by the National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, MD) to serve all academic users and has a special interest in providing a solid technological base for genomic researchers interested in alcohol and cancer research.