The DNA fragments spotted on the microarray have been amplified from the collection of EST clones sequenced by Tom Newman. By hybridizing these arrays with probes corresponding to mRNA extracted from different tissues global gene expression patterns can be investigated. To this end, the labeling and hybridization techniques have been optimized. The microarray facility has started its service at the beginning of this year. In the first of three rounds of applications we have received 44 proposals from scientists of 6 different countries.
Most experiments compare mutant to wild type or treated to untreated plants.
Two experiments use Brassica plant material rather then Arabidopsis. Our project will determine the gene expression patterns in different tissues and organs or from Arabidopsis plants subjected to different stimuli. We will also examine the expression of plant specific genes of unknown function under a set of standardized conditions.