Affiliations: Department of Neuroscience, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA | Department of Pharmacology, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA | Department of Neurosurgery, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA | Veterans Administration Medical Center, Philadelphia,
PA, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Paolo G. Marciano, Dept. of Neurosurgery,
Hayden Hall, 3320 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6316, USA. Tel +1 215 573
3156; Fax: +1 215 573 3808; E-mail: marciano@mail.med upenn.cdu
Abstract: Recent advances in DNA microarray technology have enabled the
simultaneous evaluation of thousands of genes and the subsequent generation of
massive amounts of biological data relevant to injury or diseases of the
central nervous system (CNS). This technology has the potential to bridge the
gap between molecular and systems neuroscience by efficiently revealing the
discrete molecular aspects underlying the perturbations of complex systemic
insults such as those resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). One of the
more intriguing and as of yet not understood aspects of TBI that can be
efficiently explored with DNA microarrays, is the sequence of molecular events
that results in pronounced cell death in specific areas of the brain. The
elucidation of these changes in gene expression underlying the mechanism of
cell death following brain injury is of central importance in the design of
future therapeutic agents. This review focuses on the technical aspects of
microarray manufacture (photolithography, microspotting, and ink jet
technology) and their utility in elucidating the molecular sequelae of brain
injury.
Keywords: brain injury, differential expression, apoptosis, cell death
