Affymetrix 3′ Arrays

Important Information Regarding Sample Processing.

New IVT Express Kit for 3′ expression arrays. The GeneChip® 3′ IVT Express Kit is the latest and most effective option for target preparation on Affymetrix’ industry-standard 3′ expression arrays. This protocol has low RNA input requirements – as little as 50 ng total RNA for a single round of amplification. Please note: Affymetrix will continue to supply the previous generation kit until September 2009, allowing Investigators to complete their projects with the older kits.

Traditional microarrays interrogate the few hundred bases proximal to the 3′ end of each gene. Expression at the 3′ end is used to approximate expression of the entire gene, providing valuable information on global expression levels. This approach is compatible with the 3′ oligo(dT)-based priming assay. This assay does not, however, discriminate between alternatively spliced transcripts that have identical 3′ ends, transcripts lacking a 3′ exon, non-polyadenylated transcripts or other genomic deletions. The new generation whole transcript Gene and Exon arrays do provide this type of detailed information.