FUTURE OF SCIENCE IN ONE CHIP: THE MICROARRAY

Abstract

The sequencing of the human genome and other ongoing sequencing projects have accelerated the pace
of gene discovery and caused the ident ificat ion of thousands of new genes. Microar rays provide the
ability to measure the expression of thousands of genes in parallel. I n par t icular , microar rays have
applicat ions in genome annotat ion, they cont r ibute to the improvement in disease understanding and
can be used in the drug development pipeline to improve selection of biological targets and lead compounds.
This review explains in brief the principles underlying DNA microarrays, traditional microarray
techniques and highlights the uses to which they are being put to invest igate the molecular basis of
different diseases and disorders.