Development of DNA microarray for pathogen detection

Pathogens pose a significant threat to humans, animals, and plants. Consequently, a considerable effort has been devoted to developing rapid, convenient, and accurate assays for the detection of these unfavorable organisms. Recently, DNA-microarray based technology is receiving much attention as a powerful tool for pathogen detection. After the target gene is first selected for the unique identification of microorganisms, species-specific probes are designed through bioinformatic analysis of the sequences, which uses the information present in the databases. DNA samples, which were obtained from reference and/or clinical isolates, are properly processed and hybridized with species-specific probes that are immobilized on the surface of the microarray for fluorescent detection. In this study, we review the methods and strategies for the development of DNA microarray for pathogen detection, with the focus on probe design.