The genetic chips are coming

At the Weizmann Institute of Science, the first unit in Israel for DNA chips was founded

Dr. Shirley Horn-Saban. diagnostic capacity
The genetic chip technology, which represents the global research front in the field of genome research, recently joined the "toolbox" of Israeli scientists, when the first unit in Israel for DNA chips was founded at the Weizmann Institute of Science. The new technology allows scientists to use ready-made genetic chips, and also to "tailor" and produce new chips according to their research needs, which will speed up many basic studies in the field of life sciences, and also streamline the study of the molecular roots of various diseases and health disorders. This unit was established in combination between the Human Genome Research Center headed by Prof. Doron Lantz, and the Department of Biological Services headed by Prof. Menachem Rubinstein, both from the Department of Molecular Genetics.

The genetic chip technology dramatically increases the ability of scientists to research, decode and accurately locate differences in the operation of genes, as well as mutations that apply to them, for example, to the occurrence of various diseases, including cancer. A genetic chip is a glass plate the size of a half shekel coin. Attached to it are tens of thousands of segments of DNA molecules, the genetic material. Each of these sections serves as a detector for the presence and degree of activity of a particular gene in the biological sample being tested. Thus, using a genetic chip, the scientists can simultaneously test thousands of genes in the biological tissue being tested. This technology also makes it possible to scan in parallel - at the same time - thousands of mutations related to various genetic diseases.

Dr. Shirley Horn-Saban, director of the DNA chip unit: "The great diagnostic capacity of the genetic chips will greatly influence the direction of medicine, and will allow it, in addition to the traditional practice of diagnosis and treatment, to also act to prevent the onset of the disease. The fact that the genetic chips make it possible to monitor the rate of expression of thousands of genes at the same time makes it possible to go from studying the function of a single gene to examining the function of intricate networks of many genes, which operate in cells and tissues. This new research direction, resulting from the end of the genome project, enables a new type of 'biological integration'. This innovative approach is implemented in a growing number of laboratories at the institute. This research capability will lead in the near future to the development of new ways to effectively control cell responses to medical treatments, and even to the development of new medical treatments."

In order to process the huge amount of information obtained in these studies, sophisticated bioinformatics tools are required, which are also being developed by the institute's scientists. The laboratory for DNA chips is part of the National Laboratory for Genome Infrastructure, established with the support of the Ministry of Science, Culture and Sports.