[DNA microarrays (DNA chips) used in molecular medical research].

Microchip technology and mapping of the human genome has led to the invention of DNA-micro-array technology. In that technology thousands of genes are analysed in parallel on a small glass surface. The very large data material that is generated requires bioinformatic analysis in order to be transformed to understandable biological results. There are different forms of DNA-micro-arrays. Some are used for measuring gene expression, i.e. which genes are turned on and which genes are turned off. Others are used for sequencing, and finally some are used for measuring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Some application possibilities of the arrays within the area of cell biology and classification of diseases are presented. Especially within the area of classification of cancer diseases the technology is promising, and a scientific breakthrough could occur in the area of classification of very aggressive cancers.