Optimization of high-density cDNA-microarray protocols by 'design of experiments'.

Expression analysis using microarray technology implies a complex experimental procedure with a large number of parameters affecting the final result. We have demonstrated that optimization of such a complex protocol can be far better handled using design of experiments (DOE) than by working on a single parameter at a time. Based on the results of a screening design, we developed a spotting buffer composed of formamide, betaine and nitrocellulose. This buffer provides a 2-fold increase in signal-to-background ratio compared to 3x SSC. Comparison to seven other buffers tested on 10 different substrates revealed it had the highest sensitivity. DNA dissolved in this buffer can be spotted on epoxysilane-coated microscope slides at a density of up to 70 000 spots per slide. A second DOE approach characterized the RNA labeling process with regard to the concentration of fluorescent dyes, dNTPs and reverse transcriptase. Adjust ments of the concentrations of dNTPs, as well as reverse transcriptase, towards the optimum, produced an improvement in the performance of the labeling procedure by a factor of 3 (Cy3) and 10 (Cy5). These results demonstrate that the process of establishing a stable expression profiling protocol and its further optimization can be significantly shortened and improved by DOE.