Open AccessArray of hope for gene technology.
Author(s) -
Jennifer Medlin
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
environmental health perspectives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.257
H-Index - 282
eISSN - 1552-9924
pISSN - 0091-6765
DOI - 10.1289/ehp.109-a34
Subject(s) - toxicogenomics , dna microarray , computational biology , microarray , gene chip analysis , gene , dna , function (biology) , bioinformatics , biology , computer science , nanotechnology , gene expression , data science , genetics , materials science
A Washington-based bioinformatics company is developing sophisticated DNA microarrays that should help researchers measure and analyze gene expression faster, more economically, and with greater precision than ever before possible. The FlexJet system, as the microarray product is known, uses inkjet technology to propel microscopic strands of DNA nucleotides onto slides, "printing" arrays of DNA molecules in a process not unlike the manner in which a printer deposits ink onto paper, forming distinct patterns of characters and images. Microarray technology may revolutionize the field of toxicogenomics by helping scientists target new drugs, discover gene function, determine biologic pathways, and better understand diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, and cardiovascular disease at the molecular level.