Chapter 26.3, Problem 3QTC

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The process the information from a DNA microarray can be used to develop new drugs to treat diseases.

Given:

A DNA microarray is a collection of synthetic DNA probes attached to designated location, or spot, on a solid surface.

Introduction:

The principle of DNA microarrays is that technological advances have made it possible to miniaturize this DNA probe detection method. Instead of detecting and studying one gene at a time, microarrays allow thousands or tens of thousands of specific DNA or RNA sequences to be detected simultaneously on a small glass or silica slide only 1-2 cm square. Although the principles of specific DNA and RNA detection have remained unchanged, the greatly increased scale on which this can be achieved with DNA microarrays has made it possible to tackle qualitatively different questions in biology and medicine.