Create a microarray design using an existing design as a template

When you use an existing design as a template, you can create a microarray design with far less time and effort than it takes to create a new one de novo. This method, available for all microarray application types, is useful when a completed design (which has a status of Complete, and is therefore uneditable) needs to go through revision. However, this approach can become tedious if many features on the microarray need to be changed—in this case, other ways of creating the microarray may be more appropriate.

Note: You cannot use a microarray set as a template with this method. Also, you cannot create a microarray set from a copied design, even if you add additional probes and exceed the capacity of the selected design format.

In this method, you first search or browse for a suitable existing design. You then copy the existing design, and make changes to the copy.

To create a new microarray design from an existing design, follow these steps:

Perform a search for the desired microarray design. Be sure to choose a Microarray Design search, rather than a Microarray Set search, since eArray cannot create a new microarray set that uses an existing microarray set as a template. Alternatively, browse for the desired microarray design.

The Search Results pane lists available microarray designs that match your criteria. Use the Pages links to navigate among multiple pages of results.
In the Actions column of the Search Results pane, next to the desired microarray design, click Copy.

eArray copies the most recent version of the microarray design and saves the copy with a status of Draft. A success message appears.
Click Close.

The Edit Microarray Design page displays the details of the copied microarray design. Design parameters appear in the upper pane. In the lower pane, you can click the tabs to see details about the probe groups and linkers that are used in the design.
Edit the design/set.

Click Save.

When eArray finishes creating your microarray design/set, a message informs you. eArray saves your new microarray design/set in the folder you specified.
Click Close.
Note:
• You cannot use a microarray set as a template with this method.

• Once you create a microarray design with this method, you cannot subsequently convert it into a microarray set, even if you add additional probes and exceed the capacity of the selected design format.

• (Applies to CGH and Expression designs) When you create a copy of a microarray design, the copy also contains any normalization and/or replicate probe groups that are found in the original design. For more information about these kinds of probe groups, see the relevant sections of Edit microarray designs/sets.

• If you copy a CGH+SNP microarray design, the copy is a standard CGH microarray design that does not contain any of the SNP probes from the original design.

• You cannot copy eArray_XD microarray designs.