We wish to thank members of the Wan Lam Lab BAC Array team especially Miwa Suzuki and Bryan Chi for the preparation of this article. This work was supported by funds from Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Genome Canada/Genome British Columbia, and NIH/NIDCR grant RO1 DE15965-01.

PROBE LABELING
Note: limit exposure of Cye Dyes to light at all times (this can be achieved by working in a darkened area or by shielding the tubes with a cover such as aluminum foil)
<ol>
<li>Combine: (Setup 1 reaction tube for reference and 1 reaction tube for sample) 
<ul>
<li>DNA (25-400 ng)</li>
<li>5 &micro;L of 5X random primers buffer (Final concentration: 5X Promega Klenow buffer and 7 &micro;g/ &micro;L random octamers)</li>
<li>Dilute to 17.0 &micro;L total volume with distilled H2O</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Boil for 10 minutes at 100&deg;C. Transfer immediately to ice for 1 minute.</li>
<li>Add 4 &micro;L of 10X dNTP mix (2mM dATP, dGTP, dTTP, 1.2mM dCTP).</li>
<li>Add CyeDyes: 
<ul>
<li>Add 2 &micro;L (2 nmoles) of Cy-3 labeled dCTP to Sample DNA </li>
<li>Add 2 &micro;L (2 nmoles) of Cy-5 labeled dCTP to Reference DNA (e.g., Novagen human genomic DNA)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Add 2.5 &micro;L of Klenow (9 U/&micro;L, Promega ) and mix.</li>
<li>Incubate at 37&deg;C overnight* (~18 hours). *The overnight hybridization time can be adjusted between 14 to 24 hours without adversely affecting the labelling process to fit to a laboratory schedule.</li>
</ol>

SAMPLE CLEAN UP
(Combined probe clean-up and preparation for hybridization)
<ol>
<li>Using a Microcon YM-30 column: 
<ul>
<li>Add 100 &micro;L Cot-1 DNA (1&micro;g/&micro;L) to column. Do not touch membrane with pipette tip.</li>
<li>Pool the reactions (reference and sample) and add to column.</li>
<li>Place column in provided tube and spin at 13000 g for 10 minutes. </li>
<li>Add 200 &micro;L distilled H20 to membrane and repeat spin to wash.</li>
<li>Discard tube and add 45 &micro;L hybridization solution: (Roche DIG Easy)</li>
</ul>
Optional: add 5&micro;L sheared herring sperm DNA (10&micro;g/&micro;L unit, Promega) 
<ul>
<li>Invert Microcon, place in a new labeled tube, and spin at 3000 g for 3 minutes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
CALCULATION OF INCORPORATIONS
<ol>
<li>Remove 1.5 &micro;L and measure Fluorophore incorporation using NanoDrop Spectrophotometer.&nbsp; Using your hybridization buffer as a blank (DIG Easy) follow the directions on the screen. (You can recover the sample from the pedestal, if necessary, after measurement.) (Note: Incorporations below 3.0 pmol/&micro;L in either channel have shown variable results.) </li>
<li>Denature at 85&deg;C for 10 minutes.</li>
<li>Place probe at 45&deg;C for 30 minutes to 1 hour (allows Cot-1 DNA annealing.)</li>
</ol>
ARRAY HYBRIDIZATION
<ol>
<li>Place 44 &micro;L probe solution onto the coverslip (22 mm x 60 mm) (Fisher Scientific). If available, place the coverslip on a slide warmer or heat block pre-warmed to 45&deg;C to maintain temperature.</li>
<li>Align slide over coverslip and probe solution, lower one edge of the slide allowing contact with the hybridization solution. Continue to lower until the coverslip is attached to the slide with surface tension. Invert slide.</li>
<li>Place the slide into hybridization cassette (Telechem), pre-warmed to 45&deg;C, and add 10 &micro;L of water in the lower groove (to control humidity during hybridization).</li>
<li>Seal cassette and incubate for 36&nbsp;- 40 hours at 45&deg;C.</li>
</ol>
ARRAY WASHING
Note: All wash solutions are at pH 7.0
Removal of the slide from the hybridization cassette is critical. DIG Easy quickly crystallizes at room temperature. The slide should be immediately immersed and the cover slip removed in the wash solution.
<ol>
<li>Add approximately 60 mL of 0.1XSSC, 0.1%SDS (pH 7.0, 45&deg;C) wash solution to a Coplin jar prior to opening the hybridization chamber.</li>
<li>Open chamber, add slide to wash solution and remove coverslip (it should slide off). </li>
<li>Wash the slide 3 times in 0.1XSSC + 0.1%SDS at 45&deg;C for 1 minute each with agitation. </li>
<li>Rinse the slide 3 times in fresh 0.1XSSC*. There should be no residual bubbles from the SDS wash visible. *The slides can remain in the final wash solution until ready to centrifuge and scan (~15 minutes).&nbsp; </li>
<li>Centrifuge the slide in a 50 mL Falcon tubes at 700 g for 3 minutes.</li>
<li>Immediately scan the slides (signal intensities will diminish over time.)</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Lockwood, W. W., Chari, R., Chi, B., Lam, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recent+advances+in+array+comparative+genomic+hybridization+technologies+and+their+applications+in+human+genetics.">Recent advances in array comparative genomic hybridization technologies and their applications in human genetics.</a> European Journal of Human Genetics. 14, 139-1x`48 (2006).</li><li>Ishkanian, A. S., Malloff, C. A., Watson, S. K., deLeeuw, R. J., Chi, B., Coe, B. P., Snijders, A., Albertson, D. G., Pinkel, D., Marra, M. A., Ling, V., MacAulay, C., Lam, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+tiling+resolution+DNA+microarray+with+complete+coverage+of+the+human+genome.">A tiling resolution DNA microarray with complete coverage of the human genome.</a> Nature Genetics. 36, 299-303 (2004).</li><li>Watson, S. K., DeLeeuw, R. J., Ishkanian, A. S., Malloff, C. A., Lam, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methods+for+high+throughput+validation+of+amplified+fragment+pools+of+BAC+DNA+for+constructing+high+resolution+CGH+arrays.">Methods for high throughput validation of amplified fragment pools of BAC DNA for constructing high resolution CGH arrays.</a> BMC Genomics. 5, 6 (2004).</li><li>Watson, S. K., DeLeeuw, R. J., Horsman, D. E., Squire, J. A., Lam, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cytogenetically+balanced+translocations+are+associated+with+focal+copy+number+alterations.">Cytogenetically balanced translocations are associated with focal copy number alterations.</a> Human Genetics. 120, 795-805 (2007).</li><li>Chi, B., DeLeeuw, R. J., Coe, B. P., MacAulay, C., Lam, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=SeeGH+--+a+software+tool+for+visualization+of+whole+genome+array+comparative+genomic+hybridization+data.">SeeGH -- a software tool for visualization of whole genome array comparative genomic hybridization data.</a> BMC Bioinformatics. 5, 13 (2004).</li><li>Chi, B., DeLeeuw, R. J., Coe, B. P., Ng, R. T., MacAulay, C., Lam, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MD-SeeGH:+a+platform+for+integrative+analysis+of+multi-dimensional+genomic+data.">MD-SeeGH: a platform for integrative analysis of multi-dimensional genomic data.</a> BMC Bioinformatics. 9, 243 (2008).</li><li>Coe, B. P., Ylstra, B., Carvalho, B., Meijer, G. A., Macaulay, C., Lam, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Resolving+the+resolution+of+array+CGH.">Resolving the resolution of array CGH.</a> Genomics. 89, 647-653 (2007).</li><li>Garnis, C., Coe, B. P., Lam, S. L., MacAulay, C., Lam, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-resolution+array+CGH+increases+heterogeneity+tolerance+in+the+analysis+of+clinical+samples.">High-resolution array CGH increases heterogeneity tolerance in the analysis of clinical samples.</a> Genomics. 85, 790-793 (2005).</li></ol>

Poor quality DNA will not provide a good hybridization profile. It is essential to ensure that sample and reference DNA are free from contaminants such as phenol, RNA, salt, etc that may interfere with the random prime labeling step before starting a hybridization experiment. For example the resuspension of DNA in Tris - EDTA (TE) instead of water is not recommended as high salt concentration can inhibit the labeling reaction. We recommend assaying DNA quality using the Nanodrop spectrophotometer to measure both the D...

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>5X Klenow Buffer</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Promega</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Random Octamers </td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Alpha DNA</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>10X dNTP mix</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Promega</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>2mM dATP, dGTP, dTTP, 1.2mM dCTP</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cy-3 labeled dCTP</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>GE Healthcare</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Cy-5 labeled dCTP</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>GE Healthcare</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Human Genomic DNA Reference</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Novagen</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Example of a possible reference</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Klenow</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Promega</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>YM-30 Column</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Millipore</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Cot-1 DNA</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>DIG Easy</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Roche</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sheared Herring Sperm DNA</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Promega</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Coverslip</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>22mm x 60mm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hybridization Cassette</td>
<td>Tool</td>
<td>Telechem</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

technical demonstration of whole genome array comparative genomic hybridization

Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) is a method for detecting gains and losses of DNA segments or gene dosage in the genome 1. Recent advances in this technology have enabled high resolution comparison of whole genomes for the identification of genetic alterations in cancer and other genetic diseases 2. The Sub-Megabase Resolution Tiling-set array (or SMRT) array is comprised of a set of approximately thirty thousand overlapping bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones that span the human genome in ~100 kilobase pair (kb) segments 2. These BAC targets are individually synthesized and spotted in duplicate on a single glass slide 2-4. Array CGH is based on the principle of competitive hybridization. Sample and reference DNA are differentially labeled with Cyanine-3 and Cyanine-5 fluorescent dyes, and co-hybridized to the array. After an incubation period the unbound samples are washed from the slide and the array is imaged. A freely available custom software package called SeeGH (www.flintbox.ca) is used to process the large volume of data collected - a single experiment generates 53,892 data points. SeeGH visualizes the log2 signal intensity ratio between the 2 samples at each BAC target which is vertically aligned with chromosomal position 5,6. The SMRT array can detect alterations as small as 50 kb in size 7. The SMRT array can detect a variety of DNA rearrangement events including DNA gains, losses, amplifications and homozygous deletions. A unique advantage of the SMRT array is that one can use DNA isolated from formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples. When combined with the low input requirements of unamplified DNA (25-100ng) this allows profiling of precious samples such as those produced by microdissection 7,8. This is attributed to the large size of each BAC hybridization target that allows the binding of sufficient labeled samples to produce signals for detection. Another advantage of this platform is the tolerance of tissue heterogeneity, decreasing the need for tedious tissue microdissection 8. This video protocol is a step-by-step tutorial from labeling the input DNA through to signal acquisition for the whole genome tiling path SMRT array.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Technical Demonstration of Whole Genome Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization at JoVE.com

Technical Demonstration of Whole Genome Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization

This video is a technical demonstration of the hybridization protocol for whole genome tiling path array CGH, which scans the entire human genome using only 25-100 ng of DNA that can be isolated from a variety of sources, including archival formalin fixed material.

Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) is a method for detecting gains and losses of DNA segments or gene dosage in the genome 1.  Recent ...

technical-demonstration-whole-genome-array-comparative-genomic

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12.6K Views.  BC Cancer Research Centre. *The slides can remain in the 

Video: Technical Demonstration of Whole Genome Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization

Double Whole Mount in situ Hybridization of Early Chick Embryos

The chick embryo is a valuable tool in the study of early embryonic development. Its transparency, accessibility and ease of manipulation, make it an ideal tool for studying  gene expression in brain, neural tube, somite and heart primordia formation. This video demonstrates the different steps in 2-color whole mount in situ hybridization; First, the embryo is dissected from the egg and fixed in paraformaldehyde. Second, the embryo is processed for prehybridization. The embryo is then hybridized with two different probes, one coupled to DIG, and one coupled to FITC.  Following overnight hybridization, the embryo is incubated with DIG coupled antibody. Color reaction for DIG substrate is performed, and the region of interest appears blue. The embryo is then incubated with FITC coupled antibody. The embryo is processed for color reaction with FITC, and the region of interest appears red. Finally, the embryo is fixed and processed for phtograph and sectioning. A troubleshooting guide is also presented.

This video demonstrates 2-color whole mount in situ hybridization, a method by which the spatial and temporal expression pattern of 2 different genes can be visualized in young chick embryos. This method was originally introduced by David Wilkinson, Domingos Henrique, Phil Ingham and David Ish -Horowicz.

The chick embryo is a valuable tool in the study of early embryonic development. Its transparency, accessibility and ease of manipulation, make it an ...

Zebrafish Whole Mount High-Resolution Double Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization

Whole mount in situ hybridization is one of the most widely used techniques in developmental biology. Here, we present a high-resolution double fluorescent in situ hybridization protocol for analyzing the precise expression pattern of a single gene and for determining the overlap of the expression domains of two genes. The protocol is a modified version of the standard in situ hybridization using alkaline phosphatase and substrates such as NBT/BCIP and Fast Red 1,2. This protocol utilizes standard digoxygenin and fluorescein labeled probes along with tyramide signal amplification (TSA) 3. The commercially available TSA kits allow flexible experimental design as fluorescence emission from green to far-red can be used in combination with various nuclear stains, such as propidium iodide, or fluorescence immunohistochemistry for proteins. TSA produces a reactive fluorescent substrate that quickly covalently binds to moieties, typically tyrosine residues, in the immediate vicinity of the labeled antisense riboprobe. The resulting staining patterns are high resolution in that subcellular localization of the mRNA can be observed using laser scanning confocal microscopy 3,4. One can observe nascent transcripts at the chromosomal loci, distinguish nuclear and cytoplasmic staining and visualize other patterns such as cortical localization of mRNA. Studies in Drosophila indicate that roughly 70% of mRNAs exhibit specific patterns of subcellular localization that frequently correlate with the function of the encoded protein 5. When combined with computer-aided reconstruction of 3D confocal datasets, our protocol allows the detailed analysis of mRNA distribution with sub-cellular resolution in whole vertebrate embryos.

Zebrafish Whole Mount High-Resolution Double Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization

Whole mount in situ hybridization is one of the most widely used techniques in developmental biology. Here, we present a high-resolution double fluorescent in situ hybridization protocol for analyzing the precise expression pattern of a single gene and for determining the overlap of the expression domains of two genes. We include a propidium iodide nuclear counter-stain to highlight tissue organization.

Whole mount in situ hybridization is one of the most widely used techniques in developmental biology.  Here, we present a high-resolution double ...

Using Whole Mount in situ Hybridization to Link Molecular and Organismal Biology

Whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) is a common technique in molecular biology laboratories used to study gene expression through the localization of specific mRNA transcripts within whole mount specimen. This technique (adapted from Albertson and Yelick, 2005) was used in an upper level undergraduate Comparative Vertebrate Biology laboratory classroom at Syracuse University. The first two thirds of the Comparative Vertebrate Biology lab course gave students the opportunity to study the embryology and gross anatomy of several organisms representing various chordate taxa primarily via traditional dissections and the use of models. The final portion of the course involved an innovative approach to teaching anatomy through observation of vertebrate development employing molecular techniques in which WISH was performed on zebrafish embryos. A heterozygous fibroblast growth factor 8 a (fgf8a) mutant line, ace, was used. Due to Mendelian inheritance, ace intercrosses produced wild type, heterozygous, and homozygous ace/fgf8a mutants in a 1:2:1 ratio. RNA probes with known expression patterns in the midline and in developing anatomical structures such as the heart, somites, tailbud, myotome, and brain were used. WISH was performed using zebrafish at the 13 somite and prim-6 stages, with students performing the staining reaction in class. The study of zebrafish embryos at different stages of development gave students the ability to observe how these anatomical structures changed over ontogeny. In addition, some ace/fgf8a mutants displayed improper heart looping, and defects in somite and brain development. The students in this lab observed the normal development of various organ systems using both external anatomy as well as gene expression patterns. They also identified and described embryos displaying improper anatomical development and gene expression (i.e., putative mutants).
For instructors at institutions that do not already own the necessary equipment or where funds for lab and curricular innovation are limited, the financial cost of the reagents and apparatus may be a factor to consider, as will the time and effort required on the part of the instructor regardless of the setting. Nevertheless, we contend that the use of WISH in this type of classroom laboratory setting can provide an important link between developmental genetics and anatomy. As technology advances and the ability to study organismal development at the molecular level becomes easier, cheaper, and increasingly popular, many evolutionary biologists, ecologists, and physiologists are turning to research strategies in the field of molecular biology. Using WISH in a Comparative Vertebrate Biology laboratory classroom is one example of how molecules and anatomy can converge within a single course. This gives upper level college students the opportunity to practice modern biological research techniques, leading to a more diversified education and the promotion of future interdisciplinary scientific research.

Using Whole Mount in situ Hybridization to Link Molecular and Organismal Biology

Whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) was used in an upper level undergraduate Comparative Vertebrate Biology course in addition to vertebrate dissections. This gave students the opportunity to study gene expression patterns as well as gross anatomy, linking the study of molecular and organismal biology within one course.

Whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) is a common technique in molecular biology laboratories used to study gene expression through the localization of ...

DNA Microarrays: Sample Quality Control, Array Hybridization and Scanning

Microarray expression profiling of the nervous system provides a powerful approach to identifying gene activities in different stages of development, different physiological or pathological states, response to therapy, and, in general, any condition that is being experimentally tested1. Expression profiling of neural tissues requires isolation of high quality RNA, amplification of the isolated RNA and hybridization to DNA microarrays. In this article we describe protocols for reproducible microarray experiments from brain tumor tissue2. We will start by performing a quality control analysis of isolated RNA samples with Agilent's 2100 Bioanalyzer "lab-on-a-chip" technology. High quality RNA samples are critical for the success of any microarray experiment, and the 2100 Bioanalyzer provides a quick, quantitative measurement of the sample quality. RNA samples are then amplified and labeled by performing reverse transcription to obtain cDNA, followed by in vitro transcription in the presence of labeled nucleotides to produce labeled cRNA. By using a dual-color labeling kit, we will label our experimental sample with Cy3 and a reference sample with Cy5. Both samples will then be combined and hybridized to Agilent's 4x44 K arrays. Dual-color arrays offer the advantage of a direct comparison between two RNA samples, thereby increasing the accuracy of the measurements, in particular for small changes in expression levels, because the two RNA samples are hybridized competitively to a single microarray. The arrays will be scanned at the two corresponding wavelengths, and the ratio of Cy3 to Cy5 signal for each feature will be used as a direct measurement of the relative abundance of the corresponding mRNA. This analysis identifies genes that are differentially expressed in response to the experimental conditions being tested.

We demonstrate the use of DNA microarrays for expression profiling of the nervous system. We describe RNA quality control, sample labeling, and array hybridization and scanning.

Microarray expression profiling of the nervous system provides a powerful approach to identifying gene activities in different stages of development, ...

Whole Mount in Situ Hybridization of E8.5 to E11.5 Mouse Embryos

Whole mount in situ hybridization is a very informative approach for defining gene expression patterns in embryos. The in situ hybridization procedures are lengthy and technically demanding with multiple important steps that collectively contribute to the quality of the final result. This protocol describes in detail several key quality control steps for optimizing probe labeling and performance. Overall, our protocol provides a detailed description of the critical steps necessary to reproducibly obtain high quality results. First, we describe the generation of digoxygenin (DIG) labeled RNA probes via in vitro transcription of DNA templates generated by PCR. We describe three critical quality control assays to determine the amount, integrity and specific activity of the DIG-labeled probes. These steps are important for generating a probe of sufficient sensitivity to detect endogenous mRNAs in a whole mouse embryo. In addition, we describe methods for the fixation and storage of E8.5-E11.5 day old mouse embryos for in situ hybridization. Then, we describe detailed methods for limited proteinase K digestion of the rehydrated embryos followed by the details of the hybridization conditions, post-hybridization washes and RNase treatment to remove non-specific probe hybridization. An AP-conjugated antibody is used to visualize the labeled probe and reveal the expression pattern of the endogenous transcript. Representative results are shown from successful experiments and typical suboptimal experiments.

Whole Mount in Situ Hybridization of E8.5 to E11.5 Mouse Embryos

This whole mount in situ hybridization protocol discusses critical steps that ensure reproducible high quality results for gene expression studies in E8.5-E11.5 day old mouse embryos.

Whole mount in situ hybridization is a very informative approach for defining gene expression patterns in embryos. The in situ hybridization procedures ...

Competitive Genomic Screens of Barcoded Yeast Libraries

By virtue of advances in next generation sequencing technologies, we have access to new genome sequences almost daily. The tempo of these advances is accelerating, promising greater depth and breadth. In light of these extraordinary advances, the need for fast, parallel methods to define gene function becomes ever more important. Collections of genome-wide deletion mutants in yeasts and E. coli have served as workhorses for functional characterization of gene function, but this approach is not scalable, current gene-deletion approaches require each of the thousands of genes that comprise a genome to be deleted and verified. Only after this work is complete can we pursue high-throughput phenotyping. Over the past decade, our laboratory has refined a portfolio of competitive, miniaturized, high-throughput genome-wide assays that can be performed in parallel. This parallelization is possible because of the inclusion of DNA 'tags', or 'barcodes,' into each mutant, with the barcode serving as a proxy for the mutation and one can measure the barcode abundance to assess mutant fitness. In this study, we seek to fill the gap between DNA sequence and barcoded mutant collections. To accomplish this we introduce a combined transposon disruption-barcoding approach that opens up parallel barcode assays to newly sequenced, but poorly characterized microbes. To illustrate this approach we present a new Candida albicans barcoded disruption collection and describe how both microarray-based and next generation sequencing-based platforms can be used to collect 10,000 - 1,000,000 gene-gene and drug-gene interactions in a single experiment.

We have developed comprehensive, unbiased genome-wide screens to understand gene-drug and gene-environment interactions. Methods for screening these mutant collections are presented.

By virtue of advances in next generation sequencing technologies, we have access to new genome sequences almost daily.  The tempo of these advances is ...

A High Throughput in situ Hybridization Method to Characterize mRNA Expression Patterns in the Fetal Mouse Lower Urogenital Tract

Development of the lower urogenital tract (LUT) is an intricate process. This complexity is evidenced during formation of the prostate from the fetal male urethra, which relies on androgenic signals and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions1,2. Understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for prostate development may reveal growth mechanisms that are inappropriately reawakened later in life to give rise to prostate diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
The developing LUT is anatomically complex. By the time prostatic budding begins on 16.5 days post conception (dpc), numerous cell types are present. Vasculature, nerves and smooth muscle reside within the mesenchymal stroma3. This stroma surrounds a multilayered epithelium and gives rise to the fetal prostate through androgen receptor-dependent paracrine signals4. The identity of the stromal androgen receptor-responsive genes required for prostate development and the mechanism by which prostate ductal epithelium forms in response to these genes is not fully understood. The ability to precisely identify cell types and localize expression of specific factors within them is imperative to further understand prostate development. In situ hybridization (ISH) allows for localization of mRNAs within a tissue. Thus, this method can be used to identify pattern and timing of expression of signaling molecules and their receptors, thereby elucidating potential prostate developmental regulators.
Here, we describe a high throughput ISH technique to identify mRNA expression patterns in the fetal mouse LUT using vibrating microtome-cut sections. This method offers several advantages over other ISH protocols. Performing ISH on thin sections adhered to a slide is technically difficult; cryosections frequently have poor structural quality while both cryosections and paraffin sections often result in weak signal resolution. Performing ISH on whole mount tissues can result in probe trapping. In contrast, our high throughput technique utilizes thick-cut sections that reveal detailed tissue architecture. Modified microfuge tubes allow easy handling of sections during the ISH procedure. A maximum of 4 mRNA transcripts can be screened from a single 17.5dpc LUT with up to 24 mRNA transcripts detected in a single run, thereby reducing cost and maximizing efficiency. This method allows multiple treatment groups to be processed identically and as a single unit, thereby removing any bias for interpreting data. Most pertinently for prostate researchers, this method provides a spatial and temporal location of low and high abundance mRNA transcripts in the fetal mouse urethra that gives rise to the prostate ductal network.

A High Throughput in situ Hybridization Method to Characterize mRNA Expression Patterns in the Fetal Mouse Lower Urogenital Tract

Here, we describe an efficient high throughput in situ hybridization (ISH) method for visualizing patterns of mRNA expression in developing fetal mouse prostate tissue sections. The method can be easily adapted to visualize mRNA expression patterns in other mouse tissues or in tissues from other species.

Development of the lower urogenital tract (LUT) is an intricate process. This complexity is evidenced during formation of the prostate from the fetal male ...

Detection of Rare Genomic Variants from Pooled Sequencing Using SPLINTER

As DNA sequencing technology has markedly advanced in recent years2, it has become increasingly evident that the amount of genetic variation between any two individuals is greater than previously thought3. In contrast, array-based genotyping has failed to identify a significant contribution of common sequence variants to the phenotypic variability of common disease4,5. Taken together, these observations have led to the evolution of the Common Disease / Rare Variant hypothesis suggesting that the majority of the "missing heritability" in common and complex phenotypes is instead due to an individual's personal profile of rare or private DNA variants6-8. However, characterizing how rare variation impacts complex phenotypes requires the analysis of many affected individuals at many genomic loci, and is ideally compared to a similar survey in an unaffected cohort. Despite the sequencing power offered by today's platforms, a population-based survey of many genomic loci and the subsequent computational analysis required remains prohibitive for many investigators.
To address this need, we have developed a pooled sequencing approach1,9 and a novel software package1 for highly accurate rare variant detection from the resulting data. The ability to pool genomes from entire populations of affected individuals and survey the degree of genetic variation at multiple targeted regions in a single sequencing library provides excellent cost and time savings to traditional single-sample sequencing methodology. With a mean sequencing coverage per allele of 25-fold, our custom algorithm, SPLINTER, uses an internal variant calling control strategy to call insertions, deletions and substitutions up to four base pairs in length with high sensitivity and specificity from pools of up to 1 mutant allele in 500 individuals. Here we describe the method for preparing the pooled sequencing library followed by step-by-step instructions on how to use the SPLINTER package for pooled sequencing analysis (<a href="http://www.ibridgenetwork.org/wustl/splinter" target="_blank">http://www.ibridgenetwork.org/wustl/splinter</a>). We show a comparison between pooled sequencing of 947 individuals, all of whom also underwent genome-wide array, at over 20kb of sequencing per person. Concordance between genotyping of tagged and novel variants called in the pooled sample were excellent. This method can be easily scaled up to any number of genomic loci and any number of individuals. By incorporating the internal positive and negative amplicon controls at ratios that mimic the population under study, the algorithm can be calibrated for optimal performance. This strategy can also be modified for use with hybridization capture or individual-specific barcodes and can be applied to the sequencing of naturally heterogeneous samples, such as tumor DNA.

Pooled DNA sequencing is a fast and cost-effective strategy to detect rare variants associated with complex phenotypes in large cohorts. Here we describe the computational analysis of pooled, next-generation sequencing of 32 cancer-related genes using the SPLINTER software package. This method is scalable, and applicable to any phenotype of interest.

As DNA sequencing technology has markedly advanced in recent years2, it has become increasingly evident that the amount of genetic variation between any ...

Whole Mount RNA Fluorescent in situ Hybridization of Drosophila Embryos

Assessing the expression pattern of a gene, as well as the subcellular localization properties of its transcribed RNA, are key features for understanding its biological function during development. RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) is a powerful method used for visualizing RNA distribution properties, be it at the organismal, cellular or subcellular levels 1. RNA-ISH is based on the hybridization of a labeled nucleic acid probe (e.g. antisense RNA, oligonucleotides) complementary to the sequence of an mRNA or a non-coding RNA target of interest 2. As the procedure requires primary sequence information alone to generate sequence-specific probes, it can be universally applied to a broad range of organisms and tissue specimens 3. Indeed, a number of large-scale ISH studies have been implemented to document gene expression and RNA localization dynamics in various model organisms, which has led to the establishment of important community resources 4-11. While a variety of probe labeling and detection strategies have been developed over the years, the combined usage of fluorescently-labeled detection reagents and enzymatic signal amplification steps offer significant enhancements in the sensitivity and resolution of the procedure 12. Here, we describe an optimized fluorescent in situ hybridization method (FISH) employing tyramide signal amplification (TSA) to visualize RNA expression and localization dynamics in staged Drosophila embryos. The procedure is carried out in 96-well PCR plate format, which greatly facilitates the simultaneous processing of large numbers of samples.

Whole Mount RNA Fluorescent in situ Hybridization of Drosophila Embryos

Here we describe a whole-mount fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol for determining the expression and localization properties of RNAs expressed during embryogenesis in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.

Assessing  the expression pattern of a gene, as well as the subcellular localization  properties of its transcribed RNA, are key features for ...

Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (Array CGH) for Detection of Genomic Copy Number Variants

Array CGH for the detection of genomic copy number variants has replaced G-banded karyotype analysis. This paper describes the technology and its application in a clinical diagnostic service laboratory. DNA extracted from a patient&#8217;s sample (blood, saliva or other tissue types) is labeled with a fluorochrome (either cyanine 5 or cyanine 3). A reference DNA sample is labeled with the opposite fluorochrome. There follows a cleanup step to remove unincorporated nucleotides before the labeled DNAs are mixed and resuspended in a hybridization buffer and applied to an array comprising ~60,000 oligonucleotide probes from loci across the genome, with high probe density in clinically important areas. Following hybridization, the arrays are washed, then scanned and the resulting images are analyzed to measure the red and green fluorescence for each probe. Software is used to assess the quality of each probe measurement, calculate the ratio of red to green fluorescence and detect potential copy number variants.

Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization Array CGH for Detection of Genomic Copy Number Variants

Array CGH for the detection of genomic copy number variants has replaced G-banded karyotype analysis. This paper describes the technology and its application in a diagnostic service laboratory.