Which statement best describes molecular arrays?

Which statement best describes molecular arrays?

• A. They typically contain a single probe for high-throughput analysis of gene expression or determination of mutations in patient samples.
• B. They contain many probes but do not support high-throughput analysis.
• C. They are used only for protein profiling.
• D. They do not require any labeling or detection.

Answer: (A)

Molecular arrays are surfaces that fix thousands of different probe sequences in defined locations, so a single experiment can interrogate many targets at once. Each spot on the array carries copies of one probe, and when labeled sample nucleic acids hybridize to their complementary probes, a signal is produced for that specific target. This setup makes it possible to assess gene expression levels across thousands of genes or to screen for known mutations in patient samples in a high-throughput way. That’s why the statement describing arrays as containing many probes, enabling high-throughput analysis of gene expression or mutations, is the best fit. They aren’t limited to protein profiling, and detecting the signal generally requires labeling of the target so it can be measured.

Molecular arrays are surfaces that fix thousands of different probe sequences in defined locations, so a single experiment can interrogate many targets at once. Each spot on the array carries copies of one probe, and when labeled sample nucleic acids hybridize to their complementary probes, a signal is produced for that specific target. This setup makes it possible to assess gene expression levels across thousands of genes or to screen for known mutations in patient samples in a high-throughput way.

That’s why the statement describing arrays as containing many probes, enabling high-throughput analysis of gene expression or mutations, is the best fit. They aren’t limited to protein profiling, and detecting the signal generally requires labeling of the target so it can be measured.