Instrumentation for the genome project

[Research into the human genome driven by improved methods]

The enormous progress made by research of the human genome is mainly driven by newly established or improved methods for the analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. Among the methods that have gained a wide-spread use within a comparably short time are fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) including methods for quantitative PCR, and the use of short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules aimed at gene silencing. The increasing significance of the analysis of secondary modifications of nucleic acids and proteins (genomic imprinting by DNA methylation, posttranslational protein modification) is reflected by an increasing use of mass spectrometry for the analysis and characterization of these biomolecules. Overall, in the future the research into the human genome and the interpretation of data will further benefit from these and other refined tools.

Patterning adhesion of mammalian cells with visible light, tris(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chloride, and a digital micromirror array

Patterns of cellular adhesion were created on a surface using novel photochemistry that is stimulated with visible light. A glass surface coated with polyethylene glycol is nonadhesive to a variety of adherent mammalian cell types. Treatment of that surface with a mixture of tris(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chloride, ammonium persulfate, and a tryptophan derivative or tryptophan-bearing peptide in conjunction with irradiation with visible light (447 nm) made the surface adhesive to several cell types including mouse fibroblasts, human myoblasts, and human lung tumor cells. Immunostaining data suggest that tryptophan-containing peptides are crosslinked intact to the surface by this chemistry, which enables patterning of peptides containing only naturally occurring amino acids. Microscopic patterns of cellular adhesion were created with this chemistry by projecting microscopic patterns of visible light with a digital micromirror array. Using this method, regions of cellular adhesion were patterned with single-cell resolution.

Multiplexed DNA quantification by spectroscopic shift of two microsphere cavities

We have developed a novel, spectroscopic technique for high-sensitivity, label-free DNA quantification. We demonstrate that an optical resonance (whispering gallery mode) excited in a micron-sized silica sphere can be used to detect and measure nucleic acids. The surface of the silica sphere is chemically modified with oligonucleotides. We show that hybridization to the target DNA leads to a red shift of the optical resonance wavelength. The sensitivity of this resonant technique is measured as 6 pg/mm(2) mass loading, higher as compared to most optical single-pass devices such as surface plasmon resonance biosensors. Furthermore, we show that each microsphere can be identified by its unique resonance wavelength. Specific, multiplexed DNA detection is demonstrated by using two microspheres. The multiplexed signal from two microspheres allows us to discriminate a single nucleotide mismatch in an 11-mer oligonucleotide with a high signal-to-noise ratio of 54. This all-photonic whispering gallery mode biosensor can be integrated on a semiconductor chip that makes it an easy to manufacture, analytic component for a portable, robust lab-on-a-chip device.

Prioritized selection of oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes for efficient hybridization to RNA transcripts

Only a small fraction of short oligonucleotide probes bind efficiently to complementary segments in long RNA transcripts. Technologies such as array-based transcript profiling and antisense control of gene expression would benefit greatly from a method for predicting probes that bind well to a given target RNA. To develop an algorithm for prioritizing selection of probes, we have analyzed predicted thermodynamic parameters for the binding of several large sets of probes to complementary RNA transcripts. The binding of five of these sets of probes to their RNA targets has been reported by others. In addition, we have used a method for light-directed synthesis of oligonucleotide arrays that we developed to generate two new arrays of surface-bound probes and measured the binding of these probes to their RNA targets. We considered predicted free energies for intramolecular base pairing of the oligonucleotide and its RNA target as well as the predicted free energy of intermolecular hybridization of probe and target. We find that a reliable predictor of probes that will hybridize significantly with their targeted transcripts is the predicted free energy of hybridization minus the predicted free energy for intramolecular folding of the probe.

Mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, alone or after liquid chromatography, for analysis of polymerase chain reaction products in the detection of genomic variation

The availability of the sequences of entire bacterial and human genomes has opened up tremendous opportunities in biomedical research. The next stage in genomics will include utilizing this information to obtain a clearer understanding of molecular diversity among pathogens (helping improved identification and detection) and among normal and diseased people (e.g. aiding cancer diagnosis). To delineate such differences it may sometimes be necessary to sequence multiple representative genomes. However, often it may be adequate to delineate structural differences between genes among individuals. This may be readily achieved by high-throughput mass spectrometry analysis of polymerase chain reaction products.

A scalable high-throughput chemical synthesizer

A machine that employs a novel reagent delivery technique for biomolecular synthesis has been developed. This machine separates the addressing of individual synthesis sites from the actual process of reagent delivery by using masks placed over the sites. Because of this separation, this machine is both cost-effective and scalable, and thus the time required to synthesize 384 or 1536 unique biomolecules is very nearly the same. Importantly, the mask design allows scaling of the number of synthesis sites without the addition of new valving. Physical and biological comparisons between DNA made on a commercially available synthesizer and this unit show that it produces DNA of similar quality.

Parallel assessment of CpG methylation by two-color hybridization with oligonucleotide arrays

We have developed a method for the parallel analysis of multiple CpG sites in genomic DNA for their state of methylation. Hypermethylation of CpG islands within the promoters and 5' exons of genes has been found to be a mechanism of transcriptional inactivation associated with a variety of tumors. The method that we developed relies on the differential reactivity of methylated and unmethylated cytosines with sodium bisulfite, which exclusively converts unmethylated cytosines to deoxyuracils. The resulting sequence changes are determined with single-nucleotide resolution by hybridization to an oligonucleotide array. Cohybridization with a reference sample containing a different label provides an internal standard for assessment of methylation state. This method provides advantages in parallelism over existing methods of methylation analysis. We have demonstrated this technique with a region from the promoter of the tumor suppressor gene p16, which is hypermethylated in many cancers.

Piezoelectrically actuated flextensional micromachined ultrasound droplet ejectors

This paper reports a variation on the design of the flextensional transducer for use in ejecting liquids. The transducer is constructed by depositing a piezoelectric thin film to a thin, edge-clamped, circular annular plate. By placing a fluid behind one face of a vibrating compound plate that has an orifice at its center, we achieve continuous or drop-on-demand ejection of the fluid. We present results of ejection of water and isopropanol. The ejector is harmless to sensitive fluids and can be used to eject fuels as well as chemical and biological samples. Micromachined two-dimensional array piezoelectrically actuated flextensional droplet ejectors were realized using planar silicon micromachining techniques. Typical resonant frequency of the micromachined device ranges from 400 kHz to 4.5 MHz. The ejection of water thru a 5-microm diameter orifice at 3.5 MHz was demonstrated by using the developed micromachined two-dimensional array ejectors.

High-density fiber-optic genosensor microsphere array capable of zeptomole detection limits

The detection limit of a fiber-optic microsensor array was investigated for simultaneous detection of multiple DNA sequences. A random array composed of oligonucleotide-functionalized 3.1-microm-diameter microspheres on the distal face of a 500-microm etched imaging fiber was monitored for binding to fluorescently labeled complementary DNA sequences. Inherent sensor redundancy in the microarray allows the use of multiple microspheres to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, further enhancing the detection capabilities. Specific hybridization was observed for each of three sequences in an array yielding a detection limit of 10(-21) mol (approximately 600 DNA molecules).

Bilayer reconstitution of voltage-dependent ion channels using a microfabricated silicon chip

Painted bilayers containing reconstituted ion channels serve as a well defined model system for electrophysiological investigations of channel structure and function. Horizontally oriented bilayers with easy solution access to both sides were obtained by painting a phospholipid:decane mixture across a cylindrical pore etched into a 200-microm thick silicon wafer. Silanization of the SiO(2) layer produced a hydrophobic surface that promoted the adhesion of the lipid mixture. Standard lithographic techniques and anisotropic deep-reactive ion etching were used to create pores with diameters from 50 to 200 microm. The cylindrical structure of the pore in the partition and the surface treatment resulted in stable bilayers. These were used to reconstitute Maxi K channels in the 100- and 200-microm diameter pores. The electrophysiological characteristics of bilayers suspended in microchips were comparable with that of other bilayer preparations. The horizontal orientation and good voltage clamping properties make the microchip bilayer method an excellent system to study the electrical properties of reconstituted membrane proteins simultaneously with optical probes.

Hyperspectral imaging: a novel approach for microscopic analysis

BACKGROUND

The usefulness of the light microscope has been dramatically enhanced by recent developments in hardware and software. However, current technologies lack the ability to capture and analyze a high-resolution image representing a broad diversity of spectral signatures in a single-pass view. We show that hyperspectral imaging offers such a technology. METHODS AND RESULTS We developed a prototype hyperspectral imaging microscope capable of collecting the complete emission spectrum from a microscope slide. A standard epifluorescence microscope was optically coupled to an imaging spectrograph, with output recorded by a CCD camera. Software was developed for image acquisition and computer display of resultant X--Y images with spectral information. Individual images were captured representing Y-wavelength planes, with the stage successively moved in the X direction, allowing an image cube to be constructed from the compilation of generated scan files. This prototype instrument was tested with samples relevant to cytogenetic, histologic, cell fusion, microarray scanning, and materials science applications.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperspectral imaging microscopy permits the capture and identification of different spectral signatures present in an optical field during a single-pass evaluation, including molecules with overlapping but distinct emission spectra. This instrument can reduce dependence on custom optical filters and, in future imaging applications, should facilitate the use of new fluorophores or the simultaneous use of similar fluorophores.