Gene expression microarrays and the integration of biological knowledge

Large-scale parallel measurement of whole-genome RNA expression is now possible with high-density arrays of cDNA or oligonucleotides. Using this technology efficiently will require the integration of other sources of biological information, such as gene identity, biomedical literature and biochemical pathway for a given gene. Such integration is essential to understand the cellular program of gene expression and the molecular physiology of an organism. Advances in microarray technology, and the expected rapid rise in microarray data will lead to new insight into fundamental biological problems such as the prediction of gene function from expression profiles and the identification of potential drug targets from biologically active compounds.