ABSTRACT
Tissue microarrays, in which multiple specimens, such as tumour tissue samples, are arrayed in a paraffin block for in situ analysis, may form a fourth category of protein chip. This chapter focuses on the technology involved in protein microarray production and manipulation as well as the potential applications of the types of array. Protein microarrays essentially comprise a miniaturized solid support spotted with a protein, peptide or antibody, known as the capture element, in a grid system. The microarray is exposed to another protein or set of proteins or ligands, stringently washed and proteins interacting with the capture agents are detected and identified using specific antibodies or MS. Although there may be variations in this approach, there are five essential steps involved in the preparation and use of a protein array: capture element synthesis, preparation of the chip surface, immobilization of the capture element on the chip, binding of the ligand and detection and quantification of the interaction.
