Microarray technologies are likely to find significant scope in genomics and proteomics, with miniaturization enabling high-throughput processing. The applications they cover include genotyping, mutation screening, gene expression, and protein-interaction studies. "Ultimately, DNA microarray studies promise to expand the size of existing gene families, reveal new patterns of coordinated expression across gene families, and uncover entirely new categories of genes," says the analyst of this research. It will also aid clearer understanding of co-ordination among genes and their inter-relation.
The potential of microarrays extends beyond peptides and nucleotides. Another segment that could receive a boost from the developments in microarray technology is disease diagnosis. Promising results from the use of DNA microarrays to classify subtypes of cancer may help determine the most appropriate treatment strategy. Other microarray technologies in the pipeline include carbohydrate chips, and cell, tissue, and chemical arrays. Microarraysâ?? portability, rapid assay times, and smaller sample requirements could be major factors in encouraging their uptake in the healthcare sector despite their current high costs. Conversely, increased use should bring costs down.
