title: DNA microarray analysis of complex biologic processes.
abstract: DNA microarrays, or gene chips, allow surveys of gene expression, (i.e., mRNA expression) in a highly parallel and comprehensive manner. The pattern of gene expression produced, known as the expression profile, depicts the subset of gene transcripts expressed in a cell or tissue. At its most fundamental level, the expression profile can address qualitatively which genes are expressed in disease states. However, with the aid of bioinformatics tools such as cluster analysis, self-organizing maps, and principle component analysis, more sophisticated questions can be answered. Microarrays can be used to characterize the functions of novel genes, identify genes in a biologic pathway, analyze genetic variation, and identify therapeutic drug targets. Moreover, the expression profile can be used as a tissue or disease "fingerprint." This review details the fabrication of arrays, data management tools, and applications of microarrays to the field of renal research and the future of clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Manjula
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurella
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Li-Li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Randall
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Satinder S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sarang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Wesleyan University, Middletown Connecticut.
authors.forename: Roderick V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gullans
mesh_terms: D015195:Drug Design; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010641:Phenotype