How to Analyze DNA Microarray Data

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Topic

Resource Type

Level

High School — AP/IB College

Saved By

10 Users

Description

This tutorial explains how scientists analyze and interpret the large data sets generated by DNA microarrays.

The Click & Learn describes how DNA microarrays are designed and used to study gene expression patterns. It also discusses how microarray data is analyzed using statistical analyses, such as similarity scores (correlation coefficients) and hierarchical clustering. Students explore these analyses with a specific example: an experiment to identify genes that are differentially expressed in a tumor cell compared to a non-tumor cell.

Estimated Time

Two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

bioinformatics, complementary DNA (cDNA), dot product, fluorescent marker, hierarchical clustering, laboratory technique, log transformation, messenger RNA (mRNA), Pearson correlation coefficient (Pearson’s r), reverse transcriptase