The ability to analyze nucleic acid molecules in biological samples is essential to modern biological research. Technologies and strategies for nucleic acid analyses are evolving rapidly, and include such innovations as the use of microarray platforms for expression profiling or genotyping assays.

The Weis Center for Research possess the following instrumentation and technical expertise for nucleic acid analysis:

• Real-time PCR analysis – quantitative real-   time PCR analysis, with TaqMan or other assays, is carried out using Roche Light Cycler and Applied Biosystems thermal cyclers.
• Microarray analysis – Microarray-based assays utilize the Affymetrix platform; the core supports both expression arrays and SNP genotyping arrays; services include in vitro reactions, chip hybridization and scanning, and support for initial data analysis using Affymetrix, Golden Helix and other software applications.
• Flow cytometry – flow cytometry is carried out using a Beckman-Coulter Cytomics FC500 instrument; applications include standard flow cytometry and cell cycle analysis.