Multicolor fluorescent differential display

Differential display and DNA microarray have emerged as the two most popula r methods for gene expression profiling. Here, we developed a multicolor fl uorescent differential display (FDD) method that combines the virtues of bo th differential display in signal amplification and DNA microarray in signa l analysis. As in DNA microarray, RNA samples being compared can be labeled with either a red or green fluorescent dye and displayed in a single lane, allowing convenient scoring and quantification of the differentially expre ssed messages. In addition, the multicolor FDD has a built-in signal proofr eading capability that is achieved by labeling each RNA sample from a compa rative study with bath red and green fluorescent dyes followed by their rec iprocal mixings in color. Thus, the multicolor FDD provides a platform upon which a sensitive and accurate gene expression profiling by differential d isplay can be automated and digitally analyzed. rr is envisioned that cDNAs generated by the multicolor FDD may also be used directly as probes for DN A microarray, allowing an integration of the true most widely used technolo gies for comprehensive analysis of gene expression.