Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) has been pursued f
or fast DNA analysis and sequencing. In this article, recent progress
on detecting large oligonucleotides is reviewed. The potential applica
tion of MALDI for population screening for disease diagnosis is discus
sed. The approach of using MALDI for DNA sequencing is presented. Disc
ussion on the use of robotic and automation to speed up the mass spect
rometer sequencing process is also included. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Son
s, Inc.