Microarrays (DNA chips) for the classroom laboratory

Abstract

We have developed and optimized the necessary laboratory materials to make DNA microarray technology accessible to all high school students at a fraction of both cost and data size. The primary component is a DNA chip/array that students "print" by hand and then analyze using research tools that have been adapted for classroom use. The primary adaptation is the use of a simulated cDNA target. The low density DNA array we discuss here was used to demonstrate differential expression of several Arabidopsis thaliana genes related to photosynthesis and photomorphogenesis. The methods we present here can be used with any biological organism whose sequence is known. Furthermore, these methods can be adapted to exhibit a variety of differential gene expression patterns under different experimental conditions. The materials and tools we discuss have been applied in classrooms at West High School in Madison, WI. We have also shared these materials with high school teachers attending professional development courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A new way to introduce microarray technology in a lecture/laboratory setting by studying the evolution of this modern technology

“…Each student did their own microarray experiment using the Fotodyne kit [19]. This kit was modified from the laboratory exercise initially developed for a high school laboratory setting [22]. The kit included all of the components to do a two‐grid microarray using simulated cDNA from lung tissue of a smoker and simulated cDNA from a nonsmoker or former‐smoker.…”

Genetics behind Cerebral Disease with Ocular Comorbidity: Finding Parallels between the Brain and Eye Molecular Pathology

“…RFLP, the first DNA profiling technique inexpensive enough to gain widespread application, detects genetic diseases based on the fragment length of DNA after being cleaved by restriction enzymes and separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA microarray, a conventional method for genetic testing, distinguishes gene mutations by labeling with different fluorescent molecules of the case and control cDNAs [ 83 ]. WGS and WES are next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques with DS technology, which made genetic testing commercial and accessible [ 84 ].…”

Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Research on Plant Science Teaching and Learning

“…It has ushered in an explosion of molecular data as the first plant to have its entire genome sequenced; and it has served as the cornerstone for biotechnological applications with plants. Furthermore, Arabidopsis has been used in classrooms to improve learning of genetics (Zheng, 2007), evolution (Wyatt and Ballard, 2007), and biotechnology (Barnard et al. , 2006), and to promote student research experiences (Dolan et al.…”