Microarray analysis in cystic fibrosis

DNA microarrays provide a versatile platform for applications including gene expression analysis and genotyping. In the case of cystic fibrosis (CF), DNA microarrays enable the measurement of gene expression levels of thousands of genes in parallel, and potentially therefore, to identify non-CFTR genes down- or up-regulated in CF, which could lead to insights into disease pathophysiology, as well as novel molecular markers and therapeutic strategies. Moreover, using optimised microarray protocols based on either primer extension analysis (i.e. minisequencing) or electronic hybridisation stringency control, the potential now exists to detect all relevant CFTR mutations on a single DNA microarray as a novel platform for CF screening.