Gene expression analysis for high throughput screening applications

To meet growing needs for high throughput gene expression profiling, we established a new automated high throughput TaqMan RT-PCR method for quantitative mRNA expression analysis. In this method, the Allegro(TM) (Zymark) system conducts all sample tracking and liquid handling steps, and ABI PRISM(R) 7900 HT (Applied Biosystems) is used to conduct real-time determination of the C-t value when amplification of PCR products is first detected and accumulation of inhibitory PCR products is unlikely to occur. The ABI PRISM(R) 7900 HT Sequence Detection System features a real-time PCR instrument with 384-well-plate compatibility and robotic loading, and continuous wavelength detection, which enables the use of multiple fluorophores in a single reaction. The Allegro System offers an assembly line approach with a modular design that allows reconfiguration of the components to accommodate variations in the assay flow. In the present study, we have established and validated a new automated High Throughput (FIT) TaqMan RT-PCR-based method for quantitative mRNA expression analysis. The data demonstrate that HT-Taqman PCR is a powerful tool that can be used for measuring low concentrations of mRNA, and is highly accurate, reproducible, and amenable to high throughput analysis. Results suggest that HT-TaqMan is a reliable method for the quantification of low-expression genes and a powerful tool with FIT capability for target identification/validation, structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, compound selection for efficacy studies, and biomarker identification in drug discovery and development.