MicroBiology

A DNA microarray is a small stamp sized piece either of plastic or of glass on which the single strands of DNA fragments are attached in a microscopic array. It represents the genes of an organism. The word “array” usually refers to placing something in a systematic and an organized arrangement. All the cells in a human body are comprised of an identical genetic material. However, the same genes are not active in every cell. The study of which genes are active and which are inactive in the different cells helps the scientists in understanding the functioning of the cells and its impact, when the other genes do not function properly. But now with the advancements in science and technology, it is possible for the scientists to examine how active all the different genes are at any given time and the boost in the development of DNA microarray technology has made it possible.

The DNA microarrays are made by the robotic machines. These machines arrange minuscule amounts of thousands of gene sequences on a single microscopic slide. This cellular machine starts copying some segments of that gene, as soon as the gene is activated. The resulting product is referred to as mRNA that is nothing but a template of the body responsible for creating proteins. The mRNA, thus generated by the cell is complimentary that will be bound to the original part of the DNA strand from which it was being copied.

The DNA microarray technology is very useful. It helps the researchers to know more about different diseases like mental illness, heart disease, infectious disease, etc. It is also used widely in the study of cancer. Scientists are able to classify the different types of cancer based on the organs where the development of tumors takes place. With the help of this technology, they will be further able to classify the types of cancers based on the gene activity type in the tumor cells of the body. The researchers are, thus able to invent effective treatment strategies that will be targeted to a particular cancer type directly. They are able to develop more efficient treatments to treat cancer.

Some of the useful applications of the DNA microarrays are: Disease screening- the genes that are associated with the life threatening disease like cancer or heart disease can be tested regularly to check whether the person is at an increased risk of developing it. This gradually helps in early diagnosis and treatment.

Comparative genome hybridization- this is a practice that interprets the genomic losses and gains or any alteration in the number of copies of a specific gene concerned in a diseased state.

Mutation analysis- this is a procedure that points out the differences in a single Nucleotide polymorphism and a particular nucleotide polymorphism associated with a particular disease.

The DNA microarray has made many promises for the progressive advancements in the future. It helps the scientific community to procure the readouts of all the different components of the body. No doubt, this will, some day lead to molecular diagnostics, personalized drugs and integration of treatment as well as diagnosis.