DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/882B-PK39
Defense Date
2006
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Chemical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Kenneth J. Wynne
Abstract
DNA microarrays represent an ultra-high throughput gene expression assay employed to study the transcriptomic profiles of biological tissues. These devices are increasingly being used to study many aspects of gene regulation, and there is growing interest in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries for developing such devices in efforts toward rational product/drug design. The DNA microarray also provides a unique and objective means for diagnosis and prognosis of human diseases based on patterns of gene expression. This is especially important in cancer research and the thrust toward personalized medicine. This dissertation details the design and development of oligonucleotide microarrays and the design and execution of a gene expression study conducted using human glioma specimines. Chapter 2 details the design and development a ~10,000 gene human oligonucleotide microarray. This device consisted of a 21,168 features, each composed of a particular human gene-probe and was applied to the challenge of diagnostic and prognostic estimation for human gliomas (chapter 3). Gliomas are the most frequent and deadly neoplasms of the human brain characterized by a high misdiagnosis rate and low survival. The study in chapter 3 demonstrated that the specified design and development parameters were appropriate for conducting gene expression analysis and that this platform can be used successfully to predict malignancy grade and survival for glioma patients.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
June 2008