Microarrays: new tools to unravel parasite transcriptomes

The ability to monitor the expression levels of thousands of genes in a single microarray experiment is a huge progression from conventional Northern blot analysis or PCR-based techniques. Microarrays can play a pivotal role in the mass screening of genes in a wide range of fields including parasitology. The relatively few parasites that can be readily cultured or isolated from a host, as compared with cell lines or tissue sources, makes microarray technology ideal for maximizing experimental results from a limiting source of starting material. Khan et al. (1999a) commented in an early review of microarray technology "With this system in place, one can anticipate a time when data from thousands of gene expression experiments will be available for meta-analysis........ leading to more robust results and subtle conclusions". Now in 2005, microarrays represent a very powerful resource that can play an important role in the characterization and annotation of the transcriptomes of many parasites of medical and veterinary importance.