Transciptomics Facility
The transcriptomic Facility houses an Affymetrix Gene Suite, A CombiMatrix DNA synthesizer and a Roche LightCycler® 480 real-time qPCR instruments to enable screening and accurate measurement of genes, transcripts and miRNAs.
Affymetrix Microarray Platform 
The GeneChip 3’ Expression arrays stand out as the method of choice and as such were the most widely used array for expression profiling representing the Gold Standard in the microarray field. Affymetrix produce highly robust arrays providing data with outstanding reproducibility. The list of off the shelf arrays is continually growing with around 30 model organisms, including human, mouse, rat, yeast and e.coli currently covered. In addition to the 3’ Expression arrays we can also run Gene and Exon arrays which enable researchers to analyze gene expression and gene regulation in much greater detail than classical 3´-based arrays.
Applications:
- Comparison of Case/Control studies (e.g. Normal vs. Diseased tissue, Wild type vs. Knock-out, Non-Infected vs. Infected)
- Time course experiments (e.g. Developmental stages, Environmental changes, Clinical treatments, Drug resistance)
- Investigation of molecular mechanisms regulated by alternative splicing
- Discovery of new splice variants
- Discovery of disease-related deregulation of splicing
CombiMatrix CustomArray®
For a fully customisable approach the CombiMatrix B3 CustomArray® Synthesizer allows us to manufacture high quality slide arrays for all your needs. This platform offers researchers the ability to fabricate low (4x2K), medium (12K) and high (90K) density microarrays. The open architecture platform is easy to use and enables researchers to synthesize novel applications, build from the CombiMatrix list of pre-designed microarrays, or customize microarrays. Arrays are manufactured through in-situ synthesis, no spotting or printing is involved avoiding the inherent problems associated with these methods. With high oligonucleotide coupling efficiencies, on-board quality control systems, high quality commercial grade arrays are produced. Arrays can be re-used multiple times making them a cost effective choice. Easy to use software provides complete freedom to design the array of your choice.
Applications:
- CustomArray® microarrays are used for genome-wide and focused Gene Expression, SNP Genotyping, Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH), Tiling, ChIP-on-chip, MicroRNA, and Resequencing.
- Molecular Interactions, DNA – DNA, DNA – RNA, DNA – Protein, DNA – compound
Real-Time PCR
The LightCycler® 480 Real-Time PCR System is a multiwell-plate based real-time PCR platform which is used for highly accurate qualitative and quantitative detection of nucleic acids and genotyping. The use of Universal Probe Library (UPL) in a PCR provides a rapid method of designing assays and measuring gene expression levels. The UPL contains 165 (90 routinely held in house) pre-validated, dual labeled fluorescent probes that can be used to quantify virtually any transcript (95-99%) from a multitude of organisms. Specificity is determined through the combination of sequence specific primers and one probe. The assay uses the hydrolysis probe format for real time PCR detection.
Applications:
- Targeted gene expression profiling
- Endpoint genotyping
For further information please contact:
Philip Day on 2751621; Philip.J.Day@manchester.ac.uk
Fiona Marriage on 3065189; Fiona.Marriage@manchester.ac.uk