Gene expression or miRNA analysis by microarrays

DNA microarrays are microscope slides that are printed with thousands of tiny spots at defined positions, with each spot containing a known DNA sequence or gene.

To perform a microarray analysis, RNA molecules (mRNA for gene expression and miRNA for miRNA analysis) are usually collected from both an experimental sample and a reference sample. The samples are then converted into complementary DNA (cDNA) and each sample is labelled with a fluorescent probe.

Data collected by microarrays can be used to create gene expression profiles, which show simultaneous changes in the expression of many genes in response to a particular condition or treatment.