FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Scanning and images
Q. What is the difference between the Axon GenePix scanner and the ArrayWorx scanner?
A. The GenePix 4000B scanner is a confocal dual-laser scanner. The Applied Precision arrayWoRxe auto biochip reader is a charge-coupled device (CCD) scanner.
For more information: Facility » Equipment » Applied Precision arrayWoRxe auto biochip reader
For more information: Facility » Equipment » Axon GenePix 4000B
For more information: Protocols » Image Acquisition
Q. What causes high background and/or low signals?
A. The most common reasons for high background and/or low signals are:
1. The biological material itself, e.g., not enough material, poor RNA yield, low quality RNA, etc.
2. Labelling, e.g., poor incorporation rates, problems during the purification steps, etc.
3. Hybridisation, e.g., inadequate mixing during hybridisation, poor post-hyb washes, etc.
For more information: Services » Gene expression » Preparing and sending samples
For more information: Services » Gene expression » How much tissue do I need?
For more information: Protocols » Gene Expression
For more information: Protocols » Hybridisation
For more information: Protocols » Image Acquisition
Q. What can I do to avoid high background and/or low spot signals?
A. We realise that obtaining the correct amount of biological material can be problematic but the easiest way to resolve this issue is to send us as much material as possible. When working with cell lines, these must be washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) before putting them in TRIzol.
For more information: Services » Gene expression » Preparing and sending samples
For more information: Services » Gene expression » How much tissue do I need?
Q. The Cy3 and Cy5 images that you have sent to me look the same - is this correct?
A. We sent you colour and grey-scale images. Obvious differences between the samples will only be clearly visible in the colour images as spots that are either green or red. Smaller changes in gene expression may not be visible at all. This does not mean that such differences are not present or that small changes in gene expression should be ignored.
For more information: Services » Analysis
