: The Genomics Core will facilitate transcriptional profiling of cells and vascular tissues obtained in the studies of the individual projects of the SCOR using high-throughput technologies. Services provided include: 1) nucleic acid (RNA or cDNA) hybridization to commercial arrays purchased by the individual projects and 2) array printing and analyses of subsets of genes pertinent to the specific focus of each project to provide maximum flexibility in customization/high throughput of cell and tissue samples. Core services will include optimization studies, array imaging, and analytical assistance. Procedures for assuring equitable sharing of the instruments and coordinated scheduling will be developed. Activities will be facilitated by a GeneMachines OmniGrid Sample Microarraying Robot, and a Packard Biochip Scanarray 4000 Scanner, together with a dedicated computer. Additional components of the system, underwritten by other resources and at no cost to this grant are a Biomek 2000 Laboratory Automated Workstation for multipurpose fluid handling, and array software licenses. An in-house microarray printer and scanner are central to the Core's function and will permit the SCOR investigators great flexibility in high throughput genomics capability. The arrayer will provide customized printing of selected cDNAs or oligomers prepared by the investigators' own labs (or outsourced synthesis) to facilitate detailed analysis of gene expression relationships based on specific project-focused questions. The instruments are also central to the use of commercial microarrays for whole genome screening. The Associate Director and Director have 3 years experience with microarray analyses. The Genomics Core will coordinate activities with the Proteomics Core (Core B) to seek concordant and discriminant patterns of mRNA vs protein expression in response to pro- and antioxidant interventions by providing genomic profiling complementary to proteomic analyses. This is an important and necessary approach for investigations of frequently divergent gene and protein expressions in the same cells/tissues. A similar pattern of paired analysis will be applied to studies of circulating cells, initially polymorphonuclear leucocytes, as potential markers of gene and protein expression in the vasculature.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 55 publications
