Acquisition of a microarray platform for the Diadema Campus of the Federal University of São Paulo

• Grant number: 09/53955-2
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• Start date: December 01, 2010
• End date: November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Fabíola Freitas de Paula Lopes
• Grantee: Fabíola Freitas de Paula Lopes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• EMU web page: Página do Equipamento Multiusuário não informada
• Type of equipment: Tipo de Equipamento Multiusuário não informado
• Manufacturer: Fabricante não informado
• Model: Modelo não informado

Abstract

The project envisages acquisition of a microarray platform for the Diadema Campus of Universidade Federal de São Paulo (the Federal University of São Paulo). The microarray technology consists of utilization of a microarrangement in which DNA samples are fixed on spots for hybridization with a pool of mRNAs extracted from biological samples (targets) that were previously marked with fluorescent dyes and allows for simultaneous evaluation of the expression of thousands of genes in different tissues of a given organism. This approach can also be applied in studies to analyze DNA methylation, pharmacogenetis, cytogenetics, genotyping, mRNA expression, etc. Scientists chose the Agilent platform based on its better price and lower operational costs at the existing authorized dealer in Brazil (GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.) and above all, because of the flexibility of the system, which allows operators to use blades made by different manufacturers. Additional equipment necessary for the operating the platform will be acquired. A management plan will be created with the main objective of ensuring management, maintenance and multi-user access to the equipment, allowing for and facilitating usage of this equipment by researchers affiliated to this and other institutions. The management commission will be initially formed by researchers associated with this proposal and by the technicians assigned by the host-institution. And finally, there are several complementary projects, many of which at other institutions, which will also benefit from this request, allowing for future collaboration and greater scientific impact. In this manner, acquisition of the microarray platform will not only contribute to new scientific discoveries within associated and complementary projects, but will give a major boost to research from different areas that are part of this campus. (AU)