MS genetics: New biotechnologies for structural and functional approaches

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent technological developments that will change genetic research on multifactorial diseases, including multiple sclerosis, in the near future. These methodologies may, in the long-run, improve our ability to monitor disease activity and response to treatments. The majority of the new technologies are based on 'DNA microarrays' or 'DNA chips'. The crucial aspect of microarrays is miniaturization. As with Northern and Southern blots, microarrays rely on hybridization. Instead of a heterogeneous sample, however, multiple and defined complementary DNAs (cDNAs) or oligonucleotides are arrayed at designated spots on so-called 'chips'. As a result, variations in binding affinity can simultaneously be measured. This technology has found various and important applications in structural genetics. In addition, it has opened a new field of research, termed 'functional genomics', providing the opportunity for global and dynamic monitoring of gene expression.