Oligonucleotide micro-arrays for identification of unknown mutations: how far from reality?

The present review examines critically what has been published on oligonucleotide micro-arrays, from the point of view of detection of unknown mutations. We will first demonstrate the theoretical power of this new technique, and then argue that it is experimentally realistic. However, technical difficulties remain, and the proposed solutions for controlling the hybridisation specificity and for manufacturing the micro-arrays will be reviewed. Some are promising, but a complete integration of several of these solutions must be achieved before oligonucleotide micro-arrays become a universal tool for routine detection of unknown mutations. Nevertheless, sequence specific arrays should be available in the short term for the most frequently studied genes.