When the Chips are Down

Abstract

Mini revolutions in DNA technology began with the structure of the double helix. Several major advances over the last 45 years include restriction enzyme mapping, DNA sequencing, and PCR. Each advance generated much excitement, and its importance was recognized by the Nobel Prize. And now, once again, DNA technology has made a quantum leap. Even a few years ago it would have seemed preposterous to suggest that DNA analysis could be carried out on a thumbnail-sized glass chip. But that is exactly what is happening in several laboratories and biotechnology companies around the country. The brainchild of Stephen Fodor (President and Chief Executive Officer of Affymetrix with headquarters in Santa Clara, CA), the GeneChip, introduces the idea of parallel genomics—the marriage of two disciplines: biotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing. As excitement in the wonders of this technology mounts, an increasing number of university laboratories and several biotechnology companies are anticipating the needs of the experimenter by preparing to offer competing technology. Hopefully, this will allay the fears many scientists have of finding this technology inaccessible and ultimately unaffordable.