Microarray analysis of trophoblast cells

A complex repertoire of trophoblast gene products governs the multifaceted functions performed by the placenta during the relatively short period of pregnancy. Cloning and sequencing the human as well as other mammalian genomes allow investigators to gain better insight into the function of trophoblast genes. Our ability to identify transcripts by their nucleotide sequences and determine their expression patterns enables us to glean information on gene function. Although the molecular principles underlying microarray are not new to biology, the high throughput, low reaction volumes, fluorescent labeling, accurate detection, and robust analysis software makes this approach most appealing to today's researchers, when compared with standard filter blotting techniques. This chapter focuses on DNA microarray of the human placental transcriptome as a means to identify alterations in gene expression in different physiological or pathological conditions.