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Multi-sample Array
Conventional microarrays allow a single sample to be interrogated by tens of thousands of individual oligonucleotide probes immobilised on the surface of the array. This is particularly valuable for identifying unknown differences between individual samples. Once a sub-set of probes have been identified that provide a specific putative "signature" for identifying defined populations of samples, the newly discovered signature then has to validated. This validation stage can require a large number of samples to be analysed to ensure that the data is statistically valid.
This is an example of where the MSA can play an important role. The MSA is essentially a microfluidic device which sits on top of a standard microarray slide. The device contains multiple sample application ports which allow the user to manually apply small volumes of multiple different samples to the MSA. The samples are then directed through channels and into contact with a defined area of the array containing oligonucleotide probes. In the example above, the probes would represent the signature sub-set that was discovered on a conventional microarray. The MSA has been designed to allow the microarray to be hybridised and analysed using standard protocols and equipment, thus ensuring excellent constancy between the original discovery phase and the subsequent validation phase of a particular study.
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