KUGR Facility Gene Expression Assays

Gene expression assays measure which genes are expressed in different samples, or how the expression of genes change over time or in response to specific treatments. The KUGR facility has two types of assays for measuring gene expression: Real-Time PCR and Affymetrix GeneChips.

TaqMan Real-Time PCR Assays

Quantitative Real-Time PCR, or QPCR, measures increases in the production of PCR products during the PCR reaction, using a fluorescent assay. QPCR is the standard for highly accurate measures of RNA or DNA levels in a sample. The KUGR facility specializes in the use of Applied Biosystems TaqMan QPCR assays, which use three probes per PCR product for enhanced specificity. More information about TaqMan assays is available on our Real Time PCR page.

QPCR assays are most appropriate for performing highly accurate measurements of fewer than 100 genes at a time. The KUGR facility performs QPCR assays in 384-well format to save reagents and keep costs lower.

Affymetrix Gene Expression Assays

Affymetrix GeneChips are the gold standard for measure gene expression across all genes at the same time. There are several different types of Affymetrix assays available, including the "classic" 3'-assays and the newer All-Exon arrays with more than 1.4 million probesets.

Affymetrix GeneChips have multiple probes for each gene and include many built-in controls, so the data is very high quality. The KUGR facility provides expert data analysis of Affymetrix gene expression experiments performed in the facility, using a variety of sophisticated software tools and approaches.

Please contact the KUGR Facility staff for more information.

Faculty Director:
Scott A. Ness, Ph.D.
Professor, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Office: CRF 121; Tel: (505) 272-9883

Technical Director:
Gavin Pickett, Ph.D.
CRF 118
Tel: (505) 272-5564

Senior Technical Staff:
Jamie Padilla
CRF 118
Tel: (505) 272-5564