What is the primary purpose of DNA microarray technology?

The primary purpose of DNA microarray technology is to determine gene expression levels. This technology allows researchers to measure the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously by hybridizing labeled cDNA or RNA extracted from a sample to the array, which contains complementary DNA probes for specific genes. The amount of hybridization indicates the level of gene expression, enabling comparisons between different samples, such as healthy versus diseased tissues or different time points in development.

By analyzing which genes are turned on or off in a particular cell type or condition, scientists can gain insights into biological processes, disease mechanisms, and the effects of drugs or other treatments. This capability makes DNA microarrays valuable tools in various fields, including genomics, transcriptomics, and personalized medicine.