What is a microarray?
A DNA microarray contains thousands of small dots that are of known, short DNA sequences from specific genes that are printed in a grid like array (Figure 1) (1). These short pieces of DNA are tagged with florescent markers (green and red) to keep the genes or interested marked (2). If both genes are expressed then a yellow color is seen. This new technology allows scientists to study thousands of genes at once. Heat maps (Figure 2) can then be generated from microarray results to compare the thousands of gene results run as well as makes comparisons of related genes and forms a tree on the edge (2). Here is a link to a great interactive site that informs you about what microarrays are and takes you through a microarray experiment.
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Microarray of FLNB:
After learning more about what microarrays are and how they are made and analyzed, I went to several array and genomic sequence databases called GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) to see if any FLNB microarrays have been done. I first searched FLNB at GEO Datasets which gave me no results. I then went to GEO BLAST and inputted in FLNB genes genetic sequence. This resulted in the normal BLAST information found in FLNB Homology. After some searching I came to a different GEO homepage: GEO Profiles that provided me results for the human FLNB gene. Here I found several experiments that mentioned FLNB, though not focused on FLNB, dealing from bone marrow (Figure 3) to breast cancer to pupil tissue. I then continued to search by related terms of my disease such as actin cytoskeleton and chondrocytes. The results showed an array of areas such as the lung and skin, but I didn't see anything in relation to FLNB or bone development. Lastly, I searched Larsen Syndrome in GEO Profiles which resulted in no results.
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Analysis:
When performing microarray search and analysis of FLNB, I went through several GEO databases to finally find a page that gave me some results. I found small microarray studies done with heat map results on breast cancer and eye pupil tissue and many other studies done on other tissues in the body that didn't relate to Larsen Syndrome symptoms or where the abnormal FLNB protein causes greatest effect. It makes sense that other studies would have FLNB as a gene in other studies because FLNB is involved in proper formation of the actin cytoskeleton which is essential to most cells. I did find one study that was done on bone marrow tissue which was the closest study that I found to the area FLNB in Larsen Syndrome effects. Though this heat map was quite complex and didn't provide me with any new information. I also found that there weren't any microarray studies performed in the area of Larsen Syndrome. I think that this lack of information of microarray analysis on Larsen Syndrome as well as areas FLNB affects in those diagnosed with Larsen Syndrome is probably because this is a rare genetic disorder. Microarrays are a fairly new technology where a focus is on understanding common disorders and genes of the human body. I believe that as more microarray research is done there could be a Larsen Syndrome study done in the future that would look at genes associated with the syndrome, which could lead to greater understanding.
References:
1.) "Microarray Manufacturing Technology: What is a microarray". Web. May 17, 2014. http://media.hhmi.org/biointeractive/click/microarray_making/01.html
2.) "HHMI: How to analyze DNA microarray data". Web. May 17, 2014. http://media.hhmi.org/biointeractive/click/microarray_analyzing/01.html
2.) "HHMI: How to analyze DNA microarray data". Web. May 17, 2014. http://media.hhmi.org/biointeractive/click/microarray_analyzing/01.html