Open AccessTaking arrays from the lab to the field: trying to make sense of the unknown
Author(s) -
Darrell P. Chandler,
Ann E. Jarrell
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
biotechniques/biotechniques
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1940-9818
pISSN - 0736-6205
DOI - 10.2144/05384ps01
Subject(s) - operationalization , pace , data science , field (mathematics) , gene chip analysis , face (sociological concept) , sample (material) , biology , computer science , microarray , sociology , genetics , social science , epistemology , philosophy , gene expression , mathematics , chemistry , geodesy , chromatography , pure mathematics , gene , geography
With the rapid pace of nucleic acid microarray technology development and a renewed national emphasis on detecting and characterizing microorganisms in environmental samples, there is a rush to operationalize existing microarray technologies and apply them to uncharacterized environmental backgrounds. The purpose of this article is to pause and ask a basic question: what do microarray data actually mean in the face of uncharacterized sample backgrounds? In attempting to answer this question, we draw a clear distinction between hypothesis-driven fundamental science and operational uses of microarray technology; assess microarray technology assumptions in the face of uncharacterized environments; offer an environmental microbiologist's perspective on technology needs and requirements for quantitatively analyzing microbial communities; and hopefully stimulate a scientific and technical dialogue around the concept of analytical environmental microbiology and future technology development.