Why do you need more labeling product for a cDNA array than for a BAC array?
The reason for using more genomic DNA for the cDNA array is because the BAC arrays have much longer DNA fragments on the array than cDNA, therefore higher homology to the labeled DNA than the cDNA array. The fluorescence signals from the cDNA will be weaker than the BAC array, therefore, you have to start with higher amounts of starting materials.
Why is the selection of a BioPrime Genomic Labeling System so important?
The overall performance of your microarray experiment is driven by numerous factors including the microarray, amplification method, labeling method, hybridization solutions/conditions, blocking and wash methods, as well as performance of the associated hardware systems. In order to achieve the highest confidence in your array results best in class components must be selected for each step. Invitrogen’s BioPrime Total and Cot-1 DNA products are the proven labeling and blocking reagents to increase accuracy, sensitivity, and simplicity.
When using BioPrime Genomic Labeling Systems, why is random primed linear amplification (RPA) so important for these applications?
All of the BioPrime Genomic Labeling systems are based on linear, random primed amplification methods-the best method to maintain accurate representation of copy number. Other methods of amplification may provide inaccurate amplification of starting material which potentially invalidate array results.
What are the differences between Alexa Fluor 3 and 5 used in the BioPrime Genomic Labeling Systems?
Both lines of Alexa Fluor dyes can be used on traditional 2 color scanners with excitation and emission wavelengths optimized for these scanners. The Alexa Fluor 3 and Alexa Fluor 5 dye conjugated nucleotides have been optimized for DNA Microarray applications and are incorporated with the enzymes used in BioPrime Total Genomic Labeling systems to provide excellent performance when dried down on arrays. Excitation/Emission for Alexa Fluor 3 is 555/565 nm. For Alexa Fluor 5 it is 650/670 nm.
Which BioPrime Genomic Labeling System is right for me?
The BioPrime Total array CGH reagents offer various configurations to allow for optimal performance on arrays based on premier enzymes, primers, dyes and purification systems. For 2 color array CGH and ChIP on Chip experiments Invitrogen recommends the BioPrime Total Genomic Labeling system. The BioPrime Total Genomic Labeling system allows for the lowest starting input material, includes application optimized dye labeled nucleotides with Alexa Fluor 3 and Alexa Fluor 5 dyes, and is the simplest, easiest to use kit in the product family. For researchers favoring other dyes, BioPrime aCGH Genomic Labeling systems are available without dyes and can be used with your dye of preference to offer superior yield and total dye incorporation due to higher performance enzymes and reagents from Invitrogen. Both BioPrime Total and BioPrime array CGH kits have been successfully used with both oligo and BAC arrays from vendors such as: Agilent, Perkin Elmer, Signature Genomics, Combimatrix Diagnostics, and BlueGnome. For microarray systems requiring biotin labeling the BioPrime DNA Labeling system includes biotin labeled nucleotides in the kit and has been successfully used in both one and two color microarray experiments. View the Genomic array CGH selection guide.