Microarray-Related Products Microarrays have become a routine tool used in many labs for applications ranging from quantitative analysis of gene expression profiles to SNP genotyping. Oligonucleotide-based microarrays offer greater specificity than long cDNA or PCR-product arrays. IDT can provide single oligonucleotides in tubes or thousands of oligonucleotides in plates and can meet the needs of any array experiment. Generally, arrays intended for use in expression profiling will employ oligos that are 60-70 bases long. Only IDT offers mass spectrometry QC on all oligos to assure that only the right oligos are spotted on a printed array. Further, IDT offers a variety of modifications that can be used for covalent attachment of array oligos, including Amino modifications, I-LinkerTM, and AcryditeTM. Most microarray experiments examine cellular RNA for gene expression. RNase contamination in the lab can ruin these experiments. IDT offers RNaseAlertTM Substrate, which can be used to identify reagents or equipment that are contaminated with RNases. IDT also offers Nuclease Decontamination Solution, which can be used to clean contaminated surfaces. Finally, we offer water and buffers which are guaranteed to be free of nuclease contamination. Correct design of oligonucleotides used in microarray experiments requires that a variety of parameters be considered. Oligos must be screened for Tm, self-dimer potential, hairpin potential, location within the transcript, and cross-reactivity with other transcripts. Call Technical Support at 800-328-2661 to consult with a bioinformatics specialist who can assist with design of microarray oligonucleotides. |