[Application of DNA chip technology to biomedical research]

The completion of Human Genome Project enabled us to access to the information on nucleotide sequences of whole human genome. One of the most valuable information on human genome would be the list of approximately 35,000 genes. Although 35% of them are still needed to annotate their functions, we can genome-widely approach to various conditions including disease states. To analyze bunch of information at once, we need high-throughput technology containing most of genes. DNA chip successfully provide a stable platform technology for the massive screening of genomes. Microarrays can be used to obtain genome-wide fingerprint on transcriptional changes in various physiological and pathological conditions, leading to the mining novel genes related to those specific states. We can check the multiple molecular markers for diagnosis, prediction or prognosis of specific diseases. Data from microarray will provide huge amounts of experssion profile, which might induce the transformation of biomedical research.