Microarrays

Seeing spots

BioDiscovery's (Los Angeles, CA) AutoGene Microarray Image Analysis System is a powerful image analysis tool for high-throughput gene expression microarray and high-density membrane data analysis. AutoGene eliminates human intervention in grid placement and spot localization, identifies the layout of the array, localizes microarray spots, and performs measurements automatically. The new Version 2.5 features increased robustness in automatic grid placement, enhanced tolerance for poor-quality images, easy batch creation for automatic image analysis, and access to processed data by several users through ResultsReviewer software.http://www.biodiscovery.com

Simple cDNA labeling

MICROMAX Human cDNA System I-Direct, from NEN Life Science Products (Boston, MA) is a robust, easy-to-use system that includes a 2,400-gene glass cDNA microarray, two practice slides, and key reagents for direct-fluorescence cDNA labeling. The number of system components has been reduced from 22 to 10, and cDNA labeling can be performed without the need for amplification in only four major steps.http://www.nen.com

Ultraminiaturized arrays

NanoSuite, from BioForce Laboratory (Ames, IA), is an ultraminiaturized molecular analysis platform technology with applications ranging from molecular diagnostics to high-throughput drug screening and genome mapping and analysis. It includes the NanoArrayer, a tool for nanometer-scale deposition and manipulation of biological molecules in submicron spot arrays with a total dimension of 1 mm × 1 mm or less, thereby creating a detection protocol with sensitivity up to the single-molecule level. NanoArrays are then read by a specially designed atomic force microscope, the Nanoreader.http://www.bioforcelab.com

Precision spotting

Hitachi Genetic Systems (MiraiBio, Inc., Alameda, CA) offers the SPBIO Microarray Spotting Station, a high-quality, reliable system for the production of microarrays. The spotter's proprietary pin design ensures reproducible, precision spotting of nucleic acid samples, and its compact design accommodates up to 14 microtiter plates and 48 slides. Efficient cleaning of the pins by way of a cascading ultrasonic water bath and vacuum drying prevents carry-over and cross-contamination.http://www.miraibio.com

Microarray software

Axon Instruments (Foster City, CA) has released GenePix Pro 3.0, the latest version of its microarray acquisition and analysis software. Now available as a stand-alone product, new features in GenePix Pro 3.0 include integration with web-based genomics databases, and scripting of all acquisition and analysis functionality through a built-in Internet Explorer window, giving access to the complete Internet Explorer functionality, such as HTML, JavaScript, VBScript, XML, and ActiveX. On its own or bundled with Axon's GenePix 4000A microarray scanner, this software offers users unparalleled microarray data acquisition and analysis capabilities.http://www.axon.com

Automated array analysis

With Phoretix Array2 from Nonlinear Dynamics (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK), researchers interested in quick and accurate microarray analysis need only input grid and subgrid proportions and shape of spot once per grid type. The software then automatically detects the correct grid and subgrid structure in micro- and macroarrays using a single button press, in over 95% of cases. Additional features include an option for a rotatable area of interest to compensate for errors in image capture or to remove plate identifiers from the detection area.http://www.nonlinear.com