MICROARRAY A PPLICATIONS IN CANCE R BIOLOGY: THE CHALLENGES

Microarray is one of the technologies that has taken the scientific world by storm in the last decade with its high - throughput, multi - dimensional data, making an impact on every branch of life - science. The field of cancer biology is no exception and has eagerly embraced the technology with open arms, leading to vast advances in our understanding of the killer disease. Microarray analysis gives an insight into the multiple cellular processes disrupted during oncogenesis. For this reaso n, it has found its application in research pertaining to every stage of cancer from screening to therapeutics by way of gene expression profiling, genotyping, methylation profiling among others. Despite this, the technology is still limited by its inabili ty to render validated information that can lead to more dramatic developments in the field of oncological practice. To achieve its full potential in cancer diagnosis and classification, microarray technology needs improvement of its ancillary technologies such as development of new microarray platforms, as well as statistical software for analysis and data mining. This will not only simplify technical and analytical procedures but will also make them more precise and cheaper. In addition, inter - laboratory cooperation for ongoing meta - profiles will help produce standardized diagnostic methods utilizing microarrays. This review is focused on challenges that need to be addressed when using microarrays in Cancer Biology. The review also mentions the aspects of oncological practice, where microarray technology has left an indelible impression.