Computational modelling of the gene expression profile from acute ischaemic brain injury

The ensuing events subsequent to cerebral ischaemia are complex and multi-faceted, making it difficult to extract causal relationships between the various pathways that are altered during ischaemia. In this study, we analyse a comprehensive DNA microarray dataset of acute experimental ischaemic stroke, in an effort to elucidate key regulatory elements that participate in the triggering of the pathways that lead to tissue damage. The data suggest that genes responsible for immediate early genes, apoptosis, neurotransmitter receptors (principally glutamate), and inflammation are differentially expressed at various time points subsequent to experimental ischaemia. Using unsupervised clustering (self-organising maps) and gene regulatory networks, we were able to establish a framework within which we could place the resultant gene expression changes into. Although not yet complete, the results from this study indicate that even a complicated pathology such as ischaemia can be analysed in a biologically meaningful way using DNA microarray technology