Dutch researchers use Expression Array System to identify genes that may predispose towards atherosclerosis, and validate them using TaqMan gene expression assays
Researchers at the Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research (LACDR) are using the Applied Biosystems Expression Array system to identify genes that may predispose towards atherosclerosis, and validating them using Applied Biosystems's TaqMan gene expression assays.
"We mainly focus on gene expression in the liver, where we are particularly interested in lipid metabolism and homeostasis, and on monocytes and T cells in the immune system.
"We are comparing gene expression in diseased and treated diseased samples with normal samples," explained Johan Kuiper, associate professor at LACDR.
"The Applied Biosystems 1700 analyser, which is part of the Expression Array system, has been excellent, it is very sensitive and we are really happy with the data.
"We have run a number of experiments and, in particular, there is very good correlation between the gene expression patterns we find using the 1700 analyser and with the TaqMan assays.
"We chose the 1700 analyser for several reasons, including the internal standards, which allow us to get an absolute value for a gene's expression level, and the ease of analysing the arrays - we do not have to draw grids around the spots during the analysis.
"We hope to eventually identify specific genes and pathways or genetic mutations that might be involved in atherosclerosis development."
