A flexible, high-density array platform for genome-wide characterization of epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in cancer

AACR Centennial Conference: Translational Cancer Medicine-- Nov 4-8, 2007; Singapore A71 Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, and altered transcription factor binding play major roles in the development of many human diseases, most notably cancer. High-density and highly flexible DNA microarrays, derived from a unique combination of photolithography and a digital micromirror device, are now allowing researchers the opportunity to examine epigenetic events at an unprecedented scale and resolution. Phenomenon such as de novo DNA methylation of tumor suppressor gene promoters silences their expression, hence creating a gateway for uncontrolled cell division. In addition, the binding of many transcription factors becomes increased in a cancerous cell to promote the expression of genes involved in initiating carcinogenesis and metastasis. By looking on a genome-wide scale using high-density microarrays, a comprehensive picture of DNA methylation patterns, chromatin structure, and transcription factor binding can be generated to aid in the characterization of the differences between normal and cancer cells, different cancer types, the same cancer from two different individuals, and drug treatment studies. Novel platform developments, specifically the 2.16 million feature long-oligonucleotide array, have expanded the horizon of genome-wide studies for its application in elucidating epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in cancer. Cancer studies using the high-density, highly flexible microarray will be presented and discussed as well as an update on the progress on the 2.16 million feature platform.