Microarrays

摘要

Microarray technology can be used to measure expression levels of genes (microarray expression analysis), changes in gene copy number (array comparative genomic hybridization, or aCGH), and gene mutation [mutation microarray analysis by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays]. First conceptualized more than 20 years ago and used for whole-genome analysis in yeast around 1997, microarray analysis technology has benefited from continual improvements, including automation and customization. Despitethe technology still having been in its infancy, Stephen Friend predicted in 1999: "In the next three to five years, however, the direct impact of these DNA microarrays is likely to enter the doctor's office as some of the harder diagnostic puzzles maybe solved using this technology" (1). In 2003, Pusztal et al. noted that the "true clinical utility and the limits of this exciting new technology are yet to be established" (2). Although this is still the case, significant progress has been made.