DNA microarray technology in cancer research

Microarray technology transforms the study of functional genetics. The entire genomic activity of cells and tissues can be analysed and compared on single slides, or gene chips. In cancer research, this will allow the better understanding of the regulation of activity of cells and tumours in various states. It will also allow the classification of individual tumours by their gene expression patterns, which may also describe and predict therapeutic resistance and sensitivity patterns. This short article provides a short introduction to the technology and its applications.