Target amplification for broad spectrum microbial diagnostics and detection

Microarrays are massively parallel detection platforms that were first used extensively for gene expression studies, but have also been successfully applied to microbial detection in a number of diverse fields requiring broad-range microbial identification. This technology has enabled researchers to gain an insight into the microbial diversity of environmental samples, facilitated discovery of a number of new pathogens and enabled studies of multipathogen infections. In contrast to gene expression studies, the concentrations of targets in analyzed samples for microbial detection are usually much lower, and require the use of nucleic acid amplification techniques. The rapid advancement of manufacturing technologies has increased the content of the microarrays; thus, the required amplification is a challenging problem. The constant parallel improvements in both microarray and sample amplification techniques in the near future may lead to a radical progression in medical diagnostics and systems for efficient detection of microorganisms in the environment.