ABSTRACT
DNA microarray technology has given rise to the study of functional genomics (Brown and Botstein 1999; Lockhart and Winzeler 2000). The entire set of genes of an organism can be microarrayed on an area as small as a fingernail and the expression levels of thousands of genes are simultaneously studied in a single experiment. DNA microarray technology allows comparisons of gene expression levels on a genomic scale in all sample combinations. For example, samples derived from normal and diseased tissues, treated and nontreated time courses, and different stages of differentiation or development can be compared. Further computational analysis of microarray data allows the classification of known or unknown genes by their mRNA expression patterns. Global gene expression profiles in cells or tissues will provide us with a better understanding of the molecular basis of phenotype, pathology, or treatment. This review article presents an introduction to the DNA microarray technology.
