What is Transcriptomics?
Genes are expressed when genome’s DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA and then translated into proteins. The expression of genes varies and depends on different factor. Analyzing gene expression under different conditions is important in helping us understand more about the function of genes, location of gene transcripts and their gene expression in various types of cells and tissues. [1] Transcriptomics refers to the study of all RNA molecules within cells, also known as the transcriptome. Transcriptomics includes the analysis of both messenger RNAs and non-coding RNAs, as over 95% of RNAs are not translated into protein. [2]
Techniques for Transcriptomics
Microarray analysis
In this technique, complementary DNA (cDNA) is labeled with fluorescent markers and get attached to complementary strands by hybridization. Higher fluorescent signal indicates higher binding and higher level of gene expression. This technique only detects known sequences. [3]
RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq)
In RNA-Seq, RNA is extracted from tissue and reversed transcribed to cDNA. The samples are then sequenced to show the level of gene expression. RNA-Seq detect novel variants in addition to known variants. [3]
In this technique, complementary DNA (cDNA) is labeled with fluorescent markers and get attached to complementary strands by hybridization. Higher fluorescent signal indicates higher binding and higher level of gene expression. This technique only detects known sequences. [3]
RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq)
In RNA-Seq, RNA is extracted from tissue and reversed transcribed to cDNA. The samples are then sequenced to show the level of gene expression. RNA-Seq detect novel variants in addition to known variants. [3]
Transcriptomic analysis of SGSH
The summary of SGSH RNA and protein expression within different tissues in male and female.
Discussion
As shown in the figures, the transcriptomic analysis shows that there is low-medium expression of SGSH RNA and protein in the brain. The highest RNA and protein were found in the endocrine tissues. Interestingly, there was higher SGSH protein expression in the male tissues than female tissues while RNA expression was the same. Looking at the RNA tissue specificity, low-medium expression was seen in parts of the brain such as hippocampal formation, amygdala, pons and medulla, and corpus collosum.
References
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[1] https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/research/vegin/geneticimprovement/transcriptome/
[2] https://www.phgfoundation.org/blog/what-is-transcriptomics
[3] https://www.sciencemag.org/features/2015/07/transcriptomics-today-microarrays-rna-seq-and-more
[1] https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/research/vegin/geneticimprovement/transcriptome/
[2] https://www.phgfoundation.org/blog/what-is-transcriptomics
[3] https://www.sciencemag.org/features/2015/07/transcriptomics-today-microarrays-rna-seq-and-more
This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison.