by Prof. Dr Joachim Schultze Gene expression profiling with
microarrays allows thousands of genes to be measured, but a
number of improvements are needed before this technology can be
implemented in a clinical setting. Traditional cryopreservation
techniques affect the transcriptome but an alternative technique
is ideal for microarray analysis of blood samples. Gene
expression profiling allows researchers to analyse the genetic
make-up of an individual and to measure the up- or down-
regulation of specific biomarkers. This method has great
potential for a variety of very different clinical applications.
The ultimate goal is to be able to identify disease-associated
genes and pathways in order to employ a targeted therapy, which
may form the basis of personalised healthcare. However, gene
expression analysis requires careful considerations,
particularly if applied in routine diagnostic settings. Its
successful implementation will depend on standardisation of
procurement of the clinical specimens, an improvement