ABSTRACT

Nowadays, a variety of DNA array and DNA chip devices and systems are available. Application of such devices allows DNA and/or RNA hybridization analysis to be carried out in highly parallel formats. Applications of DNA microarray hybridization are mostly directed at gene expression analysis or screening samples for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In addition to the molecular biologically related analyses and genomic research applications, such microarray systems are also being applied for infectious and genetic diseases, cancer diagnostics and forensic and genetic identification purposes. Array technology continues to improve in performance aspects regarding sensitivity and selectivity and in becoming a more economical research tool. DNA microarrays will continue to revolutionize genetic analysis and many important diagnostic areas. Additionally, microarray technology is now being applied to new areas of proteomic and cellular analysis (Heller 2002).