Overview
Gene expression profiling methods enable the quantification of multiple transcripts in a single RNA sample. Powerful and continually evolving methods, such as microarray analysis, multiplex PCR and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, are integral to deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved in development and disease, and are important tools in the identification of new drug targets.

Percepta’s 2008 Gene Expression Profiling Dashboard™ dives deeply into the characteristics and dynamics of the market for gene expression profiling products. This 2008 Dashboard provides a snapshot of the current market landscape that can be compared with data from the 2007 Gene Expression Profiling Dashboard, providing an ongoing story of how the market is adapting to new products, new competitors and new sales and marketing strategies.

The 2008 Gene Expression Profiling Dashboard™ was developed from responses to a 21-question survey completed by 312 scientists predominantly located in North America and Europe. 255 of these respondents perform gene expression profiling methods on a regular basis. This Dashboard reveals key market indicators for the gene expression profiling market as a whole as well as for the following methods representing market sub-segments:

• Microarray-based gene expression studies
• Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) studies
• Differential gene expression studies using multiplex PCR
• qRT-PCR (cDNA template) using gene specific fluorescent probe
• qRT-PCR (cDNA template) using non-specific SYBR Green
• Northern blot analysis
• Transcriptome studies using tiling arrays
• Transcriptome studies via short-read sequencing

Survey Methodology
In January of 2008, Percepta fielded the Gene Expression Profiling Survey to a subset of the company’s panel of life scientists. Individuals were invited by e-mail blast to click through to a webpage at bioanalytix.com where the survey was hosted. Invitations were delivered on January 22, 2008 and results collected through February 1. A total of 312 scientists completed the survey, of which 255 are actively engaged in performing gene expression profiling experiments. Results based on the aggregate of collected responses are revealed in this Gene Expression Profiling Dashboard.

Respondent Demographics
Respondents from the academic, government and commercial market segments are well represented, with approximately 17% of respondents employed in an industry setting. About 82% of respondents are from North America, while 15% reside in Europe.

Junior (Lab Tech, Grad Students), mid level (Post-Doc, Lab Manager) and senior (Professor/PI, Group Leader) scientists are well represented in the data set, with the most cited job titles being Scientist/Senior Scientist (20.8% of respondents), Professor/Principal Investigator (16.3%) and Post-Doctoral Fellow (15.7%).

A wide variety of scientific areas of specialization is also evident, led by molecular biology (named by 34.1% of respondents as their primary area of expertise), biochemistry (10.6%) and cell biology (8.2%). Genomics (6.4%), microbiology/infectious disease/virology (6.1%), neuroscience (5.8%) and immunology (5.1%) are the only other applications named by more than 5% of respondents.

Small (1 to 5 scientists), mid-size ( 6 to 10 scientists) and large laboratories (>10 scientists) are well represented in the respondent data set. A total of 40.8% of survey participants work in labs where one to five people perform experiments. 29.4% are employed in labs with six to ten scientists, while the remaining 29.7% of respondents work in labs where greater than 10 individuals work at the bench.