Life Sciences Division
1997-98
Progress Report
- Overview
- Mission
- Structure
- Lab Animal Resources
- Operations & Support
- Mouse Genetics Research
- DNA Sequencing Lab
- Gene Expression Chip Lab
- Dosimetry & Biokinetic
- Life Cycle Analysis
- Environmental Assessment
- Biological Sciences
- Functional Genomics & Proteomics
- Structural Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Technology Applications
Gene Expression Chip Laboratory
A genosensor laboratory has been established at ORNL. This laboratory is dedicated to the development of technology for genome analysis, the support of various applications, and the support of ORNL's functional genomics program. Genosensors take advantage of the specific hybridization properties of nucleic acids to assess the expression level of particular gene sequences or changes in gene coding regions. Such measurements are key to learning gene function. Extensive libraries of DNA sequences can be arrayed to probe test samples in a miniaturized, parallel fashion. The resulting test device is called a genosensor. A cornerstone of our genosensor technology has been an advanced configuration in which the hybridization reactions occur on high surface area substrates, such as channel glass or porous silicon, rather than on conventional flat substrates. The porous substrates provide a unique "flowthrough" architecture that lead to an increased surface area and faster reaction kinetics. A customized robotic spotting system, based on ink jet dispensing, has been developed to position DNA probes onto the genosensor. Individual probe can be placed at pitches as small as 200 microns. Additionally, instrumentation and protocols for sample preparation, fluid handling, and hybridization detection have been developed. Currently, genosensors are being generated and analyzed for monitoring gene expression profiles in mammalian and bacterial systems, for analyzing polymorphic markers in the human genome, and for bacterial typing of environmental samples.
Contact: M. J. Doktycz (865) 574-6204, okz@ornl.gov, or K. L. Beattie (865) 574-7912, q1k@ornl.gov