AFFYMETRIX - GENES ON CHIPS

Affymetrix has developed state-of-the-art technology to attach small o ligonucleotides onto glass surfaces: using methods common to the elect ronics industry. Such arrays of DNA (gene chips) can be used to screen for mutations in disease genes as well as for changes in viral genomi c structure (e.g., HIV-1 and -2). Other companies such as Hyseq have d eveloped similar technologies in parallel and are currently in dispute with Affymetrix over the patent position. Whatever the outcome, the u se of DNA attached to glass, quartz or electronic surfaces will be the way forward in mutation detection and gene expression studies.