Microarray
With micro array technology we can measure gene expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously.
Microarray technology consists of:
- isolation of messenger RNA
- conversion to complementary DNA
- labelling with a fluorescence group
- hybridisation by microarray
In this process, the DNA-molecules are labelled with a fluorescence group and bound to the corresponding gene on the array. We then read the signals of the microarray using a laser scanner. The intensity of the signals provides information about the level of expression on each gene in the array.
Applications
Wageningen Food Safety Research uses micro array technology for:
- research into the health effects of natural and bioactive substances (nutrigenomics)
- effect studies of contaminants and GMOs (toxicogenomics)
- tracing GMOs, antibiotic resistant genes and microorganisms in food
Wageningen Food Safety Research has the expertise and infrastructure to hybridise and analyse Agilent arrays. We also produce in-house arrays. We use these in-house arrays for gene expression studies of tomatoes and potatoes and the detection of microorganisms.