ARS | Publication request: FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS OF MICROBIAL STRESS TOLERANCE

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: December 2, 2004
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Advances in genomic sequence and microarray technology have revolutionized our understanding of biology. At the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), we study basic molecular mechanisms of microbial stress tolerance to apply for value-added agricultural utilization practice using functional genomics, specifically for industrially significant microorganisms. Currently, we fabricate and use gene chips of 70-mer DNA oligo microarrays for complete genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a newly sequenced prokaryotic genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5. We developed exogenous ribosomal nucleic acids as standard quality controls used for validation, normalization, and quality controls of microarray to ensure data reliability and reproducibility. We further developed novel microarray design to improve the microarray technology. With our well-equipped facilities of microarray laboratory, including GeneMachines OmniGrid 300 microarrayer, Axon Instrument GenePix 4000B scanner, NanoDrop Spectrophotometer, TECAN HS 4800 hybridization station, and GeneSpring software; we have the capacity to perform complete microarray studies from array design and fabrication to hybridization and data analysis. Since the initiation of this project in December 2002, we have observed huge amount of interested data, delivered numerous presentations in academic and professional conferences nationally and internationally, and generated several publications in peer-reviewed journals. We are interested in and encourage multidiscipline collaborations for a better understanding of system biology within and beyond Peoria NEXT.