Microfluidic arrays in genetic analysis

The goal of genetic analysis is to discover genetic markers that are informative for providing high confidence, positive predictive value in managing phenotypic outcomes. Primary consensus sequence data, genetic polymorphism databases and associated phenotype data are rapidly making genetic analysis more useful. Therefore, genetic analysis applications are gradually becoming more mainstream. The diversity and complexity of genetic analysis currently requires an array of analytical techniques, instrument platforms and software to support all the steps from data acquisition to interpretation. As supporting research technologies mature, they are incorporating increasing levels of automation, system integration and miniaturization. Microfluidic arrays are positioned to play a key role in routine genetic analysis, particularly as they begin to appear in more fully integrated analytical platforms.