Question

Which of the given statements is incorrect about Microarray (or microchip) analysis?

(a) It is a new technology in which all of the genes of an organism are represented by oligonucleotide sequences spread out in an 80 x 80 array on microscope slides

(b) The oligonucleotide sequences cannot be synthesized directly on the slide

(c) The oligonucleotides are collectively hybridized to a labeled cDNA library prepared by reverse-transcribing mRNA from cells

(d) The amount of label binding to each oligonucleotide spot reflects the amount of mRNA in the cell

I had been asked this question during an interview.

Question is from Global Gene Regulation in division Genome Analysis of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

Right option is (b) The oligonucleotide sequences cannot be synthesized directly on the slide

For explanation I would say: The oligonucleotide sequences can also be synthesized directly on the slide at densities of up to one million per square centimeter. Genes that are responding the same way to an environmental signal, in this case the addition of serum to serum-starved skin cells are clustered together in a display. From this analysis, a set of genes that responds in an identical manner may be identified.