Mathematical design of prokaryotic clone-based microarrays

Background: Clone-based microarrays, on which each spot represents a random genomic fragment, are a good alternative to open reading frame-based microarrays, especially for microorganisms for which the complete genome sequence is not available. Since the generation of a genomic DNA library is a random process, it is beforehand uncertain which genes are represented. Nevertheless, the genome coverage of such an array, which depends on different variables like the insert size and the number of clones in the library, can be predicted by mathematical approaches. When applying the classical formulas that determine the probability that a certain sequence is represented in a DNA library at the nucleotide level, massive amounts of clones would be necessary to obtain a proper coverage of the genome. Results: This paper describes the development of two complementary equations for determining the genome coverage at the gene level. The first equation predicts the fraction of genes that is represen...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2005
• Where: BMCBI
• Authors: Bart Pieterse, Elisabeth J. Quirijns, Frank H. J. Schuren, Mariët J. van der Werf
• Keywords: BMCBI 2005, Genome, Genome Coverage, Minimal Insert Coverage