Objective:
Proper nutrition is required for the development, maintenance, and optimal functioning of the immune system. DNA microarrays is a promising approach developing a new tool for cancer (or pre-cancer) surveillance. Specific hypotheses will be tested concerning how specific mirconutrients (including vitamin A, fatty acids, folate, selenium and zinc) affect immune function and inflammation by regulating gene expression. Documents SCA with UC-Davis.

Approach:
DNA microarray technology allows characterization of expression of thousands of known genes. Chips are available which contain thousands of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from apparently expressed but uncharacterized genes. These ESTs may code for important, novel genes that are regulated by nutrients. Experiments to exploit both uses of microarrays characterization of expression patterns and gene discovery are being planned by WHNRC scientists. WHNRC investigators are currently carrying out experiments which include specific aims of examining the expression of a limited number of genes using techniques such as Northern blot analysis, quantitative RT-PCR, RNase protection, and membrane array hybridization ("macroarrays"). These methods have significant limitations, the principal limitation being that the expression of only one or a few genes can be examined in any given experiment. The membrane array method allows examination of the expression of tens to hundreds of genes but requires large amounts of labeled RNA probe not obtainable in human studies. Formerly 5306-51530-013-02S. Documets SCA with UC-Davis.