Looking for a quick method to identify genetic biomarkers for fathead minnow or large mouth bass?  How about a quick way to screen a polluted site?  Do you want to see the biological pathways modulated by a certain contaminant?  The EcoArray nylon membrane arrays may be just what you need.  (Note: EcoArray will be transitioning from the nylon membrane cDNA arrays to oligonucleotide arrays spotted on glass slides as more sequences in FHM and LMB, as well as other species, become available.)

Gene sequences spotted onto a solid support matrix are called gene arrays (also referred to as microarrays, macroarrays, gene chips, or DNA arrays).  An array can consist of hundreds to thousands of cDNAs or oligonucleotide gene sequences spotted in an organized pattern. The arrays can be probed with mRNA obtained from treated tissues or cells in order to obtain a semi-quantitative measure of expression for each of the genes present on the array.   Thus, gene arrays can be used to simultaneously measure the expression level of all the genes that are affixed to the surface.  Because thousands of genes can be queried at one time, this global analysis of gene expression can be quite useful in measuring the effects of toxicological exposure, as well as other areas of research.  These two arrays contain PCR products from genes that were isolated by a variety of methods including shotgun sequencing of cDNAs from E2 treated libraries, PCR amplification of target genes of the endocrine system using degenerate primers, and differential display (DD RT-PCR).  Thus, many of these genes are known to be responsive to estrogens.  Both chips contain many genes of toxicological importance including vitellogenin, choriogenin, several cytochrome P450s, estrogen receptor alpha, glutathione S transferase, and many others, including many unnamed genes that do not match the published data bases.  A complete list of genes may be found by clicking on either link below.   

Each spot on these arrays contains 10 nanograms of PCR product (cDNA). The genes are spotted in duplicate. These are high quality arrays with low background that give highly reproducible results.

Recommended hybridization: The arrays have been optimized using a a-33P label probe with minimal RNA as the starting material (2µgs of total RNA) that is labeled with a a-33P label. The membranes can also be labeled with 32P or a chemiluminescent label following manufacturers recommendations. (EcoArray can perform hybridization as a service. See our services page.) Arrays are sold in batches of four.  In addition, you receive: 

A complete list of genes that were spotted on the membrane. 

Free access to BlastQuest, a searchable website database that contains pertinent information obtained for each gene spotted such as expectation (e) values, bit scores, accession numbers, and links to sequence information at PubMed, NCBI.

Four aliquots of spiking RNA (one per membrane).

Fathead Minnow Chip (200 gene) CH-FHM-200
Click here for the list of genes

The current FHM nylon membrane array is also called our "E" array, which stands for both EcoArray and estrogen. In addition to ~200 other genes, vitellogenin was spotted in an E pattern, making it very easy to see positive estrogenic effects.

Pricing (minimum purchase is 4 arrays): Please contact us by email or get a quote online for academic or commercial price.

 

Large Mouth Bass Chip (500 gene) CH-LMB-500
Click here for the list of genes

The 500-gene largemouth bass nylon membrane array contains many genes of toxicological importance including vitellogenin, choriogenin, several cytochrome P450s, estrogen receptor alpha, and glutathione S transferase, among others. These genes were derived primarily from liver tissues from control bass and those that had been exposed to 11KT, progesterone, and DDE. (Note: EcoArray is planning to release a 2,000-gene LMBass oligonucleotide array in late 2006 or early 2007.)

Pricing: (minimum purchase is 4 arrays): Please contact us by email or get a quote online for academic or commercial price.

 

Custom Species Chip (CH-SPE-XXX)

Yes, you've read this correctly. EcoArray's expert technical staff can print a nylon membrane array containing up to 1000 genes (spotted singly; 500 genes spotted in duplicate) in your particular species of interest. These genes belong to you, and you alone, and EcoArray will work with you on obtaining the genes. It is possible for us to do the gene discovery by means of a library or subtractive hybridization (see Services), or you may send us the cDNA to be spotted. Membranes are printed in batches of 20, with discounts for larger volume.
Pricing: Please contact us to discuss your individual project or obtain a quotation online.