The use of differential display rt-PCR for identifying altered gene expression in ischemic brain injury

Differential gene expression is essential for normal development, and a variety of pathophysiological conditions (including neurodegeneration, neurotrauma, and ischemic injury) of the central nervous system. Various numbers of mRNAs are expressed in a given cell at any time point, and changes in relative mRNA levels may have important implications in the development of pathophysiological processes. Therefore, elucidation of the differentially expressed genes is critical for understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in normal and pathological states, as well as providing new insights on molecular targets for pharmacological manipulation and drug development.