Quantitative analysis of DNA array autoradiographs

DNA arrays and chips are powerful new tools for gene expression profiling, Current arrays contain hundreds or thousands of probes and large scale sequ encing and screening projects will likely lead to the creation of global ge nomic arrays. DNA arrays and chips will be key in understanding how genes r espond to specific changes of environment and will also greatly assist in d rug discovery and molecular diagnostics, To facilitate widespread realizati on of the quantitative potential of this approach, we have designed procedu res and software which facilitate analysis of autoradiography films with ac curacy comparable to phosphorimaging devices. Algorithms designed for analy sis of DNA array autoradiographs incorporate 3-D peak fitting of features o n films and estimation of local backgrounds, This software has a flexible g rid geometry and can be applied to different types of DNA arrays, including custom arrays.