A Single Molecule Approach to Gene Screening and Expression

This Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) is supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program. During the tenure of this twelve-month standard grant, Professors Ewing and Day and their students at Pennsylvania State University will attach single oligonucleotide molecules of poly dT to small monodispersed beads arranged in arrays on a flat substrate. The arrays will be hybridized with micro samples of messenger RNA and then reverse transcription will produce an array of cDNAs for differential screening and quantification for gene expression. Using this approach single gene products can be screened and identified by sequencing in a single automated process. Many genomic applications involve either small amounts of sample or expression of low abundance genes. Amplification by the polymerase chain reaction is then required. The work of Professors Ewing and Day and their students at Pennsylvania State University will permit single molecule detection on an array of cDNAs permitting differential screening and quantification for gene expression in a single automated process. This work will have immediate impact on problems in genomic fields.