What is a microchip analysis?
DNA microchip analysis is used in molecular biology and diagnostic medicine to determine which genes in the cell are turned on at some point. This technique is known as a multiplex test as it can measure thousands of samples in a single test. DNA micro -analysis techniques are used to interpret data from both RNA and DNA tests, depending on the specific requirements of the experiment. The experiment for microchips analysis is performed on a solid surface made of a glass or silicone chip on which a chemical matrix is laid. On the surface of the DNA or RNA matrix probes are included in proper rows.
As soon as the chip is set with the desired probes, studied cells are prepared. For cell preparation, they must be interrupted to contain nucleic acids. A number of agents for extraction and concentration of nucleic acids contained in the cells are added. Furthermore, nucleic acid extract is added to the chip, which is then left for several hours to interact with the probeand bind to cellular nucleic acids. Finally, another series of reagents is added to the chip to identify places where cell nucleic acids were tied to the probes.
microchip analysis is then used to determine which the probes were able to detect cellular nucleic acids. This is often a comprehensive analysis because one single chip can contain tens of thousands of unique probes. The order of probes on the chip is stored in a computer database to easily get results. Using a chip and a database, a scientist can develop a list of genes that are tied to the probe and were therefore present in the original cell extract.
Microchip analysis technique is commonly used in profiling of gene expression. In this type of experiment, Microarray is set to investigate gene expression formulas in cells. Probe for interesting genes are included in the microchip and when the experiment is completed, the data analysis of microchips can determine which sTounted genes were turned on at a certain time.
Further use of this technique involves comparative genomic hybridization and SNP detection. Comparative genomic hybridization is a test that examines genomic content in cells related organisms. This type of test provides information about genetic relations between different species.
SNP detection is a technique that can be used in forensic analysis, genetic bond analysis and genetic disease risks. SNPs are individual nucleotide polymorphisms, a location on the genome in which there are two possible sequences of pairs of bases. SNPs can provide a number of usefulgnetic information caused by the fact that there are different changes in SNP in different ethnic and geographical populations.