Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses IZI-BBFor the understanding of complex regulatory mechanisms and the study of cellular mechanisms, a simultaneous analysis of the expression of all transcripts of a cell, a cell population, a tissue or an organism during a defined period of time is indispensable. The complete genomic sequence of many organisms such as humans, mice, Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans are now available. Using second-generation sequencing, information on the transcriptional activity of an organism can be determined within a few days. The method enables the identification of genes required for complex developmental networks and signal transduction pathways.
Based on this information, specific DNA / RNA microarrays can be produced to determine changes in selected significant transcripts. This information can be used, for example, to classify / stratify patients or to develop tests to support therapy decisions and assistance.
The focus is on the study of human cancer material. Information is collected to enable early diagnosis, accurate prognosis, identification of potentially interesting therapies and evaluation of the success of disease treatment. In addition to the analysis of RNA transcripts, microRNAs but also epigenetic changes can be determined.