DNA (Diagnostic) and cDNA Microarray

Diagnostic microarrays have been used to study cyanobacterial diversity in environmental
samples. They usually include sequences (probes) for only one or a few genes allowing
a number of genera/species to be detected. In contrast, cDNA microarrays are used for
screening genome-wide changes in gene expression and include probes for all or most genes
in one strain . The purpose of this sub-chapter is to introduce the principle
of a diagnostic microarray (= DNA chip) that uses a ligation detection reaction (LDR) and
universal microarray to simultaneously detect and identify all potential
microcystin and nodularin producers present in a sample. This is especially useful when monitoring environmental samples that can contain
many cyanobacterial genera, including toxin-producing strains.