Overview

This study presents a fast, sensitive, and reproducible protocol for profiling pathogen gene expression during infections. The method allows researchers to quantify gene expression dynamics in vivo across various tissue types and time points.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Infectious Disease
Pathogen Gene Expression
RNA Profiling

Background

Understanding pathogen adaptation during infections is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.
Current methods for measuring gene expression can be limited by sensitivity and reproducibility.
This protocol aims to address these limitations.
It is designed to work with small tissue samples from infected hosts.

Purpose of Study

To accurately measure pathogen gene expression in vivo.
To explore how pathogens adapt to the host environment.
To provide insights into the dynamics of gene expression during infection.

Methods Used

Preparation of reagents and tissue samples from infected mice.
Homogenization and RNA extraction using phenol-chloroform.
Digital bar-coding for gene expression profiling.
Analysis of RNA concentration and gene expression data.

Main Results

Two phases of pathogen gene expression were identified during infection.
Significant differences in RNA levels were observed at various time points.
The method demonstrated high sensitivity and reproducibility.
Results indicate dynamic regulation of gene expression in C. albicans during infection.

Conclusions

This protocol enables detailed study of pathogen gene expression in vivo.
It can also be adapted for host gene expression analysis.
The approach provides valuable insights into host-pathogen interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main advantage of this protocol?

The protocol is highly sensitive and reproducible, allowing for accurate quantification of pathogen gene expression from small tissue samples.

How long does the entire procedure take?

The complete process from tissue collection to data expression takes less than 48 hours, with about four hours of hands-on time for 12 samples.

Can this method be used for other pathogens?

Yes, while developed for C. albicans, the method can be adapted for other pathogens as well.

What types of tissues can be analyzed?

The protocol is designed to work with various tissue types affected by infections.

Is this method suitable for studying host responses?

Yes, the protocol can also be used to analyze host gene expression alongside pathogen expression.

What are the key steps in the RNA extraction process?

Key steps include homogenization of tissue, phenol-chloroform extraction, and RNA purification using spin columns.

Institution - Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Articles Published in JoVE