Gene-representing cDNA clusters defined by hybridization of 57,419 clones from infant brain libraries with short oligonucleotide probes

Abstract

Diverse biochemical and computational procedures and facilities have been developed to hybridize thousands of DNA clones with short oligonucleotide probes and subsequently to extract valuable genetic information. This technology has been applied to 73,536 cDNA clones from infant brain libraries. By a mutual comparison of 57,419 samples that were successfully scored by 200-320 probes, 19,726 genes have been identified and sorted by their expression levels. The data indicate that an additional 20,000 or more genes may be expressed in the infant brain. Representative clones of the found genes create a valuable resource for complete sequencing and functional studies of many novel genes. These results demonstrate the unique capacity of hybridization technology to identify weakly transcribed genes and to study gene networks involved in organismal development, aging, or tumorigenesis by monitoring the expression of every gene in related tissues, whether known or still undiscovered.