The overall goal of this facility is to create the resources and infrastructure for the large scale analysis of gene expression. Although we believe a critical component of this infrastructure will be the ability to generate DNA microarrays that will be readily available to investigators, our plan goes beyond the simple provision of such DNA microarrays. In particular, enhance the nature of this resource through the identification of genes that are of particular interest. We then use this information to enrich the DNA microarrays produced with purchased oligonucleotide sets so as to enhance the detection of expression of genes that are particularly important for investigator research projects. To accomplish these goals we:

• Offer a DNA Microarray Facility Core, utilizing the resources and infrastructure of the Duke Center for Genome Technology, that provides consultation to Center investigators in experimental design, data analysis, and data interpretation. This serves as a major resource in the analysis of gene expression for environmental health studies.
• Provide DNA microarrays that are enhanced and optimized for research projects by enriching the standard collection of sequences with additional oligonucleotides that that are specific for genes important for environmental studies.