The PBRC Genomics Core Facility (GCF) offers the Illumina system for human,
mouse, and rat whole genomes. The system is housed in a fully equipped,
secure laboratory. The GCF offers sample quality control, labeling,
hybridization, scanning, quantitation, and limited data analysis.
Commercial microarrays in standard microscope slide format may be
scanned using a Perkin-Elmer ScanArray 5000.
Panther (for gene annotation,
biological pathways, molecular functions and protein families) and
Spotfire (for pattern visualization) are recommended
microarray software analysis programs. Spotfire is only available through
the Genomics Core Facility.
Gene validation is supported through access to Applied Biosystems 7900HT Sequence
Detection Systems for quantitative
real-time PCR.
For help in designing a microarray experiment, please
contact us. It is necessary
for individuals who are considering running microarrays in our facility to discuss
technical and statistical aspects of the design of their experiments before the
experiment is performed, i.e. before RNA is isolated.
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Microarrays are a powerful tool when a microarray experiment is
designed properly. Both biological and technical variation must
be addressed adequately to produce meaningful data.
- What type of tissue/cells do you plan to use? Tissue heterogeneity?
- How easy or difficult is it to obtain quality RNA from your samples?
- What RNA isolation technique is appropriate for your chosen tissues or cells?
- How much RNA can you actually obtain from your sample?
- What is your experiment timeline?
- How many replicates are needed to obtain statistical significance?
- How do you intend to analyze and interpret your array results
(a lab technician, a statistician, yourself)?
- Researchers should review the MIAME standards on the
MGED (Microarray Gene Expression Data Society) website.
MIAME (Minimum Information about a Microarray Experiment) is the
standard for submitting microarray data for publication.
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Many investigators look for validation of previous quantitative
PCR data in microarray results. While detection of known up or
down regulation of a transcript on your arrays may be comforting,
failure to detect a similar expression level does not mean that a
failure of the array has occurred. Microarray analysis is designed
to be used for discovery of potential gene targets. Quantitative PCR
is the “gold” standard for validation and quantitation.
Discrepancies between microarray and quantitative PCR fold
changes may be caused by:
- the more limited dynamic range of microarray detection
- a quantitative PCR primer/probe set designed to detect a
different region of the target transcript
- poor primer/probe design
- inefficiency of the PCR reaction
- detection of non-specific amplicons
Potential causes of signal variation in microarray experiments:
- Varying RNA quality
- Varying cDNA synthesis efficiency
- Dye-bias if using two-color fluorescence dye labeling systems
- Inconsistent hybridization conditions due to poor temperature control
- Inadequate mixing or distribution of hybridization solution
- Alternate sequence present with a high binding affinity for a probe
- Contaminating, unlabeled cDNA that competitively binds with a probe
- Contaminating protein or chemical that either enhances or quenches
the chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence
- Debris on the slide
Most causes may be avoided through careful laboratory technique or
can be corrected through
data normalization .
Some are inherent problems
with microarray technology. They cannot be detected or corrected.
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- Biological replicates are multiple arrays hybridized
with RNA from different biological samples or pools of samples
that compare the same treatments or control/treatment combination.
The arrays will detect both biological and technical variation.
- Technical replicates are multiple arrays hybridized with
the same RNA sample. The only differences in measurements are due
to technical differences in array and reagent manufacturing and processing.
If experimental cost is an issue, consider spending your money on
biological replicates. Technical replication only proves the technical
proficiency of the person performing the experiment and the consistency
of manufacturing quality. Applied Biosystems 1700 system has been shown
to have the best correlation among technical replicates
(>0.995, Nature Biotechnology, Vol. 24, Num. 7, July 2006, pages 832-840)
amongst nine commercial and one in-house microarray platforms.
Design your experiment to limit variability to only those conditions
you are testing. Match animals, environmental conditions, timing, etc.
The number of replicates to be used must be determined by the amount of
natural variation present which cannot be controlled in your experimental samples.
Human samples will exhibit much more variation than inbred mice or rats
which may exhibit more variation than cell culture samples. The greater
the natural variability the more replicates are needed (See Pooling
for an alternate method of dealing with variability). You must have
enough replicates to perform appropriate statistical analyses.
And last but not least, you must balance the cost of the experiment
with the benefit derived from increasing the replicate number.
The Power of Replicates,
an Illumina Gene Expression Profiling Technical Note, discusses the advantages
of using replicates to discern true differences from random variation.
Remember — in most cases, you will be generating information that
will fuel your research goals for years to come. Additional funding to
produce quality data is wisely spent.
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Pooled samples are commonly used for samples with low amounts
of RNA (in the alternative, use an RNA amplification labeling
protocol) or as a method to eliminate random individual variation
when the experimental organism has a higher degree of genetic
variability. Pooled biological replicates are recommended for
good statistical analysis. Pool equal numbers of samples and
then consider using several sample pools to test each
experimental condition.
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The quality of the submitted RNA must be confirmed by
- 260/280 ratio 1.8 ≤ 2.0,
- 260/230 ratio ≥ 1.8,
- RNA Integrity Number (RIN > 7 (preferably > 8))
| Labeling Protocol | Template Amount per array-tRNA | Recommended Submission Concentration | Volume* |
|---|
| Illumina-Single Amplification | 100ng-500ng | 50 ng/ul | 15 ul |
*The volume requested is enough for one labeling reaction. More RNA may be requested if the labeling reaction fails.
Please refer to the document
RNA Sample Requirements for Microarray Analysis
for detailed information about RNA extraction and quality control.
All submissions will be checked for quality and quantity by Agilent analysis
before and after labeling. The submitter will be notified if any sample does
not meet adequate quality standards for microarray analysis. The submitter will
assume financial responsibility for any microarray failure if the decision is made
to proceed with substandard samples.
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At this time, the GCF provides normalized signal data.
It does not provide further analysis of Illumina arrays.
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Butte, Atul.
The Use and Analysis of Microarray Data.
Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Volume 1 December 2002, pages 951-960
Bolstad, B. M., Irizarry R. A., Astrand, M, and Speed, T. P. (2003)
A Comparison of Normalization Methods for High Density Oligonucleotide
Array Data Based on Bias and Variance.
Bioinformatics 19(2) pp 185-193.
Olga Troyanskaya, Michael Cantor, Gavin Sherlock, Pat Brown, Trevor
Hastie, Robert Tibshirani, David Botstein and Russ B. Altman.
Missing value estimation methods for DNA microarrays.
BIOINFORMATICS Vol. 17 no. 6, 2001 Pages 520-525
Katherine S. Pollard, Sandrine Dudoit, and Mark J. van der Laan
Multiple Testing Procedures: R multtest Package and Applications to Genomics
(December 2004). U.C. Berkeley Division of Biostatistics Working Paper Series. Working Paper 164.
Y. Benjamini and Y. Hochberg (1995)
Controlling the false discovery rate: a practical and powerful approach to multiple testing.
J. R. Statist. Soc. B. Vol. 57: 289-300.
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