What does Affymetrix do?

The Affymetrix GeneChip system is a commercial microarray platform that allows whole genome gene expression analysis for a wide variety of experimental organisms (http://www.affymetrix.com/products/arrays/index.affx).

What is a Probeset?

A probe set is the group of probe pairs that are used together to interrogate a sequence that represents a gene or an EST cluster on the array. Probe sets on available GeneChip® expression arrays contain 11-20 probe pairs per probe set.

How does Affymetrix microarray work?

Affymetrix GeneChip System uses arrays fabricated by direct synthesis of oligonucleotides (probes) on the glass surface using the photolithographic technology employed in the semiconductor industry. Hybridization to Affymetrix chips is DNA:RNA. Control and experimental samples are hybridized to separate chips.

What is a transcript cluster?

Transcript Cluster – A group of one or more exon clusters (on Exon Arrays) or probes (on Gene Arrays) covering a region of the genome reflecting all the exonic transcription evidence known for the region and corresponding to a known or putative gene.

What is gene chip?

Gene chips are postage stamp-sized glass wafers that contain half a million or more tiny cells. Each cell holds DNA from a different gene. Gene chips are used to investigate what genes are involved in various normal and disease processes and to speed up drug discovery.

What is a gene chip and what are its uses?

A DNA microarray (also commonly known as DNA chip or biochip) is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface. Scientists use DNA microarrays to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously or to genotype multiple regions of a genome.

What is a probe array?

In expression arrays a probe (or oligoprobe) is a short DNA sequence targeting a short region of a transcript. Typically, probes are 25 bp to 60 bp long. In Affymetrix arrays, probes are grouped into probesets which are designed to target the same transcript with multiple measurements.

What is Affymetrix probe?

INTRODUCTION. Affymetrix expression microarrays are widely used in biomedical research. The microarrays consist of sets of DNA probes, each chosen carefully to record expression of specific genes.

How much does microarray cost?

A targeted DNA microarray runs from $10 to $100 per sample, says Schena, whereas “the whole human genome is typically $100 [to] $1,000 per sample.” (Targeting strategies are also available for NGS, to avoid the costs incurred by whole-genome sequencing, but they also add both cost and time.)

How does a gene chip work?

What is gene chip used for?

Gene chips are used to investigate what genes are involved in various normal and disease processes and to speed up drug discovery. It will soon be possible for doctors to use gene chips to run tests on a patient’s DNA to diagnose diseases with a genetic base or to tailor treatment to an individual’s genetic make-up.

What was the purpose of the Affymetrix GeneChip array?

Manufactured using photolithography, Affymetrix’s GeneChip arrays assisted researchers in quickly scanning for the presence of particular genes in a biological sample.

Who is the manufacturer of Affymetrix DNA microarray?

Affymetrix is a brand of DNA microarray products sold by Thermo Fisher Scientific that originated with an American biotechnology research and development and manufacturing company of the same name.

How big is the 10K array of Affymetrix?

The surface of the Affymetrix array is like a giant checkerboard. The 10K array, which is a piece of glass about the size of a thumbnail, has over 400,000 squares. These squares are called features. The features on Affymetrix arrays are incredibly small – about 8 microns across.

What kind of company is Affymetrix, Inc.?

Affymetrix, Inc. was an American company that manufactured DNA microarrays; it was based in Santa Clara, California, United States.