Statistical issues with microarrays: processing and analysis

The study of gene expression with printed arrays and prefabricated chips is evolving from a qualitative to a quantitative science. Statistical procedures for determining quality control, differential expression, and reproducibility of findings are a natural consequence of this evolution. However, problems inherent to the technologies have raised important issues of how to apply adequate statistical tests. As a consequence, statistical approaches to microarray research are not yet as routine as they are in other sciences. Statistical methods, tailored to microarrays, continue to be adapted and developed. We present an overview of these methods and of outstanding issues in their use and validation.