Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
16:37
Technical Demonstration of Whole Genome Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization
Published on: August 5, 2008
Whole genome amplification and its impact on CGH array profiles.
Bente A Talseth-Palmer1, Nikola A Bowden, Alyssa Hill
1School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle and the Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia. Bente.Talseth-Palmer@newcastle.edu.au
BMC Research Notes
|August 20, 2008
Summary
Whole genome amplification (WGA) for array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) may introduce random, unreproducible genomic alterations. Using amplified DNA in both test and reference samples does not ensure accurate copy number variation detection.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) requires substantial DNA quantities.
- Whole genome amplification (WGA) is used to increase limited DNA amounts for genomic studies.
- Multiple displacement amplification (MDA) is a WGA method known for accuracy but potential bias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of array CGH using whole genome amplified DNA (wgaDNA).
- To determine if wgaDNA yields accurate copy number variation data compared to unamplified DNA.
Main Methods:
- DNA extracted from whole blood was amplified using WGA.
- Six array CGH experiments were conducted.
- Amplified DNA was compared against unamplified DNA in test and reference samples.
Main Results:
- Experiments using wgaDNA showed a high rate of genomic gains and losses.
- Amplification bias introduced by WGA appeared random and irreproducible between experiments.
- Using amplified DNA for both test and reference samples did not mitigate these issues.
Conclusions:
- The use of wgaDNA in array CGH may lead to inaccurate results.
- Amplified DNA in both test and reference samples does not guarantee accurate copy number variation assessment.
- Caution is advised when interpreting array CGH data derived from amplified DNA.
