We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Microarray Technology?

By Adam Hill
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 7,120
Share

Almost all of the cells in our bodies contain the same deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), with all the same genes. Not all the genes are in use in any particular cell, however. In each cell type, only certain genes are "switched on," so to speak. For example, cells in the liver perform different functions from muscle cells, because different genes are being expressed in them. Microarray technology is a technique that has evolved to allow us to see which genes are being used in each particular class of cells throughout the body.

Microarray technology helps scientists discover which genes are switched on in different cells, and how cells achieve the types of specialization they demonstrate. In a typical microarray experiment, DNA molecules are placed in specific, predetermined spots on a microscope slide. This arrangement of DNA molecules is known as a microarray, since it is very small, and this is where microarray technology gets its name.

Once the microarray has been organized, a type of ribonucleic acid (RNA) known as messenger RNA (mRNA) is isolated from a particular type of cell. The mRNA serves as a working duplicate of one or more genes within a cell, and is thus a good indicator of which genes are being expressed in that cell. When the mRNA has been isolated, a fluorescent dye is added to it to make it more easily visible under a microscope. At this point, the mRNA is added to the DNA microarray on the slide.

When the two types of genetic material are mixed on the slide, the mRNA will stick to the DNA in the place that represents the gene it originally came from. The mRNA will not stick to every gene in the DNA sample, because not every gene is expressed by a cell. Any mRNA which fails to attach to the DNA in the microarray is then washed away, and that which does stick is clearly visible now because of the dye added earlier. The places on the DNA that the mRNA stick to are discrete, known genes. Therefore, this application of microarray technology allows researchers to see which types of genes are expressed by a certain cell type.

The uses of microarray technology are mainly focused in the fields of medicine and biotechnology. Apart from the discovery of genes and those which different cells express, new drugs can also be designed in light of discoveries made by these techniques. Microarray technology also means that diseases, including cancer, can be diagnosed and studied in ways that were previously impossible.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-microarray-technology.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.