A cluster of genes that are regulated together can be identified by DNA microarray, and the functional relationships can uncover new aspects of biology. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies such as microarray analysis is bringing about a revolution in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying normal and dysfunctional biological processes. Microarray studies and other genomic techniques are also stimulating the discovery of new targets for the treatment of diseases which may help for drug development. Since characteristic patterns of gene expression can be measured in parallel by using microarrays, gene expression profiling with DNA microarrays has emerged as a powerful approach to study the abundance of RNA for targeted genes of biological samples.
The Microarray Facility provides instrumentation and expertise for analysis of gene expression using Affymetrix GeneChip microarrays. The Microarray Facility lab is located in the third floor of Molecular Biology and Genetics Department at Bilkent University and contains one four-place fluidics stations, GCS3000 laser scanner, GeneChip hybridization oven and computer workstation is used for processing GeneChip oligonucleotide arrays. In addition, the facility contains Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. Total RNA is the starting point for several applications such as cDNA synthesis for gene expression and probes for microarrays. Once the RNA is separated from the extraneous material, its quality and quantity must be determined. The Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer is a microfluidics-based platform for sizing, quantification and quality control of RNA samples. The Microarray Facility is run by one principle investigator and one technical assistant.