Image Analysis in Biology-from
Green Florescent Protein to DNA Microarray
Abstract:
Visualization of results has always been an
important aspect of experimental design in
biology. In the last decade or so, a variety
of advancements were made to broaden the
applications of image-based analysis in the
investigation of biological phenomena. In my
talk, I will focus on two major tools -
green florescent protein and DNA microarray.
Green florescent protein (GFP) and its
derivates are self-florescent proteins that
can be engineered to study cells and
organelles in vivo (i.e. under normal living
conditions). DNA microarray is a set of
probes, ranging from hundreds to many
thousands, immobilized on a solid surface
that allows the researcher to study the
global gene _expression pattern of a
biological system. These probes are often
visualized using florescent dyes that could
be coupled to nucleotides and
high-resolution scanners equipped with
lasers for proper excitation. For both GFP
and microarray, a broad range of
applications have been developed and the
challenge for the future is to improve the
analytical instruments (both the hardware as
well as the software parts) that will enable
them to reach their full potential in
answering important biological questions.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Charles Ma (RƲʿ),is
currently the Chief Scientist of Phalanx Biotech Group. He received
his Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biology from the University of
California, Los Angles (UCLA) and was a postdoctoral fellow in the
laboratory of Dr. Martin Chalfie, the co-discoverer of Green
Fluorescence Protein (GFP), at Columbia University. His postdoctoral
research involved studying synapse formation in the nematode C.
elegans using RNAi, co-developing novel method to culture C. elegans
neurons in vitro and to identify targets of transcription factors
using microarray analyses, co-modifying and expanding the method to
linearly amplify RNA samples for DNA microarray analyses. Dr. Ma has
been a recipient of numerous honors and awards, including University
Fellowship at UCLA, Muscular Dystrophy Association Fellowship, NIH
Postdoctoral Fellowship, and many other accomplishments. In
addition, Dr. Ma has also been the co-inventor of several patents.
The most recent one involves the use of reconstituted GFP (recGFP)
as marker for biological applications.
