Concept explainers
To discuss:
Advantages and disadvantages of using DNA microarrays
Introduction:
A DNA microarray is a great invention as it allows for the comparison of thousands of genes at one time.The technology uses chips with attached DNA sequences as probes for gene expression. Any DNA in the sample that is complementary to a probe sequence will get bound to the chip. This technology is useful when used on known species with a sequenced genome.
The following table lists the advantages and disadvantages of using DNA microarrays.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Provides data for thousands of genes at the same time | It is time consuming. |
| Different parts of DNA can be used | It is expensive. |
| Easy to store data | It has short shelf life. |
| Can identify new genes | It is not good for detecting unknown microbes. |
| Can study changes in the expression of proteins |
Advantages- There are several advantages of using DNA microarrays.
One DNA microarray slide can contain thousands of genes, so researchers can examine changes in the expression patterns of multiple genes at one time.
DNA microarrays can contain a few genes or all of the genes of human genome. Different parts of DNA can be used to analyze gene expression.
A large amount of information can be stored easily in one chip or one slide.
DNA microarrays help determine whether the expression of certain genes is caused by genetic factors or environmental factors. Scientists are using these to identify new genes also.
They can help in the study of changes in the expression of proteins under different growth conditions.
Disadvantages- There are some limitations in using DNA microarrays.
Real time PCR techniques are much faster than DNA microarrays to detect diseases. DNA microarrays take lot of time to analyze the chips as they are very complex.
The biggest disadvantage of DNA chips is that they are highly expensive.
DNA chips do not have a very long shelf life. So they are not very reliable.
It cannot detect unknown species so it cannot be used for unknown microbes.
Answer to Problem 28A
The following table lists the advantages and disadvantages of using DNA microarrays.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Provides data for thousands of genes at the same time | It is time consuming. |
| Different parts of DNA can be used | It is expensive. |
| Easy to store data | It has short shelf life. |
| Can identify new genes | It is not good for detecting unknown microbes. |
| Can study changes in the expression of proteins |
Explanation of Solution
Advantages- There are several advantages of using DNA microarrays.
One DNA microarray slide can contain thousands of genes, so researchers can examine changes in the expression patterns of multiple genes at one time.
DNA microarrays can contain a few genes or all of the genes of human genome. Different parts of DNA can be used to analyze gene expression.
A large amount of information can be stored easily in one chip or one slide.
DNA microarrays help determine whether the expression of certain genes is caused by genetic factors or environmental factors. Scientists are using these to identify new genes also.
They can help in the study of changes in the expression of proteins under different growth conditions.
Disadvantages- There are some limitations in using DNA microarrays.
Real time PCR techniques are much faster than DNA microarrays to detect diseases. DNA microarrays take lot of time to analyze the chips as they are very complex.
The biggest disadvantage of DNA chips is that they are highly expensive.
DNA chips do not have a very long shelf life. So they are not very reliable.
It cannot detect unknown species so it cannot be used for unknown microbes.
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