Core Services

Microarray Analysis Core

The Microarray Analysis Core provides assistance with the design and analysis of gene expression microarray studies. Microarrays are a cost-effective technology to explore global genomic processes for a wide range of studies, but maximaizing the effectiveness of the technology requires careful attention to study design and statistical analysis.

Graduate Research Associate: Yufan Zhao, M.S.

Core Functions

The objectives of the Microarray Analysis Core are to improve the productivity of IDDRC investigators by assisting with the design and analysis of gene expression microarray studies. The core offers expertise in experimental design, sample size estimation, and statistical analysis for both single channel (Affymetrix) and two-color array platforms. Initial analysis often includes processing of array images, obtaining expression estimates and normalizing/scaling the data. We also participate in exploratory analyses of the data structure and statistical analyses of the study hypotheses. Finally, the core is available to provide general education and advice to investigators about bioinformatics resources that can enhance the biological impact of their research, as well as the rapidly developing data standards necessary to meet publication requirements.

Specifically, the core provides expertise in

experimental design, including randomization and balancing of design factors
sample size estimation to achieve desired power or error rate criteria
quality assessment of hybridized array data
obtaining expression estimates from Affymetrix arrays using standard software, including dChip and RMA
obtaining expression estimates from two-color platforms (such as Agilent), incorporating loess within-array normalization, and various global normalization techniques
standard statistical treatment of arrays, including cluster analysis, differential expression analysis including SAM and related approaches, gene-set enrichment approaches for overrepresentation of biological functional categories
development of novel microarray analysis tools
advice on depositing results in microarray databases such as Gene Expression Omnibus

Microarray Analysis Core Contact Information

Telephone: (919) 843-3655
FAX: (919) 966-3804

Campus Address:
Campus Box 7420
UNC-CH
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Electronic mail:
Fred Wright, Ph.D. fwright@bios.unc.edu