For a particular microarray assay (DNA chip), cDNA has been made from the mRNAs of a dozen patients' breast tumor biopsies. The researchers will be looking for
A) a particular gene that is amplified in all or most of the patient samples.
B) a pattern of fluorescence that indicates which cells are overproliferating.
C) a pattern shared among some or all of the samples that indicates gene expression differing from control samples.
D) a group of cDNAs that act differently from those on the rest of the grid.
E) a group of cDNAs that match those in non-breast cancer control samples from the same population.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The researchers are using a microarray assay (DNA chip) to analyze gene expression in the breast tumor biopsies. Therefore, they will likely be looking for a pattern of gene expression that differs from control samples. Choice C is the only option that directly suggests this. The other options deal with specific genes, cell behavior or cDNA groups, which may be relevant but do not address the primary purpose of the microarray assay.

For a Particular Microarray Assay (DNA Chip), CDNA Has Been