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Technical considerations in the use of 18s rRNA in gene expression studies
Citation:
FLICK, R. W. AND J. T. Oris. Technical considerations in the use of 18s rRNA in gene expression studies. Presented at SETAC 31st Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, November 07 - 11, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
proposed research will provide environmental science and risk assessment communities with advanced molecular biological indicator methods, complete with validation studies and guidance for their application.
Description:
Gene expression analysis is now commonly used in ecotoxicological studies to indicate exposure of an organism to xenobiotics. For example, the vitellogenin gene is used to diagnose exposure of fish to environmental estrogens. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using either gel-based or real-time techniques, is used to compare the expression level of a gene between exposed and unexposed individuals. Expression levels of target genes are normalized among samples using a reference gene that is expected to have similar expression levels among all samples.