Microarray technology, note Joos (biochemistry, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute, U. of Tuebingen, Germany) and Fortina (Center for Translational Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, US), allows for the rapid detection of genetic point mutations, insertions, and deletions; loss of heterozygosity; and gene amplication (the major nucleic acid variations associated with human disease) and holds out the hope of being to characterize the entire genome rapidly and inexpensively. They present 15 contributions that describe a representative group of microarray laboratory methodologies, including noncontact laser microdissection and pressure catapulting, sensitive detection of SARS coronavirus RNA by asymmetric multiplex nested RT-PCR amplification coupled with oligonucleotide microarray hybridization, molecular diagnostic testing for thrombophilia, protein microarray-based screening of antibody specificity, and multiplexed cytokine sandwich immunoassays. As in other works in the same series, the method protocols are presented in a standard step-by-step format. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)