Microarray

Microarray represents a high-throughput analytical platform employing ordered arrays of thousands to millions of microscopic spots containing specific DNA sequences, oligonucleotides, proteins, antibodies, or other biological molecules immobilised on solid surfaces, enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes through hybridisation or binding reactions. This technology transformed biological research and clinical diagnostics by enabling comprehensive profiling of gene expression, genetic variation, protein abundance, or molecular interactions in single experiments.

Gene expression microarrays revolutionised biological research by enabling genome-wide transcriptional profiling, revealing molecular disease signatures, identifying drug mechanism of action, and classifying diseases based on molecular profiles. DNA microarrays for genotyping identify genetic variants associated with disease risk, drug metabolism differences, or tumour mutations guiding targeted therapy selection. Oncology diagnostics employ microarray-based tests providing prognostic information or predicting chemotherapy benefit. Tissue microarrays enable high-throughput immunohistochemistry examining protein expression across hundreds of patient samples on single slides. Limitations include relative quantification, potential cross-hybridisation, and batch effects complicating multi-study comparisons. As next-generation sequencing technologies offering digital quantification and single-cell resolution increasingly supplement microarrays for research, microarrays maintain advantages for cost-effective targeted profiling and established regulatory pathways for diagnostic applications.