The principles of microspot array technology were first described more than a decade ago. Ekins, et al (1) explained why microspot assays are more sensitive than any other ligand binding assay in the “ambient analyte theory.” Much of the initial work was done on microspot immunoassays. The first widespread successful biological application of these microspot assays in the form of microarrays was in the area of molecular biology. From the very beginning, the power of generating data on a whole genome basis with the DNA microarray or ‘chip’ was realized.
Now that the genetic structure and function of many species have been completed or are well on the way to completion, the next logical step is microarray-based proteome analysis. Proteome analysis is fundamentally different than genetic analysis in that there are many protein-interaction pathways involved in the physiology of a specific cell type and within and between different tissues of an organism. This technology can be applied to the study of complex disease states, including inflammation, diabetes/obesity and autoimmune disorders among others.
The power of protein microarray technology is more data in less time. The SearchLight ® and Excel Array ™ Platforms take this much further by adding the qualities of excellent sensitivity and quantitation to robust, validated microarray assays. For more on these specific platforms see page 1 for SearchLight ®
Technology and page 6 for ExcelArray ™ Technology.
1. Ekins, R.P. (1989). Multi-analyte immunoassay. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 7, 155-168.
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