Modern Medical Laboratory Journal

DNA microarrays or DNA chips represent a relatively quick and cost-effective way to study gene expression on a genomic scale. A DNA microarray is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface. Each DNA spot contains many thousands of copies of a specific DNA sequence, known as probes. DNA microarrays help in gene discovery, their expression profiling, their regulation, genetic disease screening, SNP discrimination, microbial detection and typing, and observe variation between transcript levels of genes under different conditions. It also helps in toxicological research by tracking the modifications in the genetic profiles of the cells when exposed to certain toxicants. Additionally, microarray technology is useful in clinical microbiology as it is a potential tool for bacterial recognition and for diagnosis of bloodstream infections caused by certain pathogens. Another application of microarray technique is the determination of antimicrobial drug resistance by detecting the mutations due to drug resistance in the genome of microbes.
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