Background: DNA microarray is a tool that can be used to measure in one single analysis simultaneous changes in the activity of tens of thousands of genes.
Material and methods: The method is based upon advanced robotic techniques; High-density arrays of DNA probes are placed on a solid surface; this is followed by hybridisation with a fluorescence labelled sample and analysis of fluorescence signals.
Results: The analysis create huge data sets which have to be transformed into formats that can be interpreted and correlated with existing knowledge. This means that bioinformatics is an integrated part of microarray analysis.
Interpretation: DNA microarray may be used to examine complex physiological and pathological conditions and will most likely be very important in functional studies addressing the structural knowledge of genes obtained through the Human Genome Project. Dedicated microchips are already being tested in the diagnosis of malignant and premalignant diseases and being used to characterize HIV viruses with respect to choice of therapy.