| Review: |
In the last few years, the synthesis of fabrication of high-density arrays of specific DNA sequences comprising well-known genes of an organism on a single slide or ‘chip’ has gained popularity. This technology allows biological questions to be asked at a qualitatively different scale. Here the authors describe: laboratory automation to create and scan arrays; CORE facilities and working protocols; an ultrasensitive method of detection using nanoparticles as labels; microscanner performance; genome-scale mRNA profiling; using microarray technologies for target visualisation and drug discovery; the application of protein arrays and biochips to proteomics; using SpanScript microarray data management; identifying differently-expressed genes; the analysis of gene expression; detecting metabolic mRNA; mutation analysis techniques; comparing microarray technologies; and the INFINITI system. |