What is the primary purpose of a DNA microarray?

The primary purpose of a DNA microarray is to analyze gene expression levels simultaneously. DNA microarrays are powerful tools used in genomics to measure the expression levels of thousands of genes at once. They consist of a grid-like array of DNA segments, each corresponding to a specific gene. When RNA extracted from a sample is labeled and hybridized to these microarrays, the binding patterns allow researchers to quantify the expression of each gene in the sample.

This approach enables the comparison of gene expression under different conditions, such as healthy versus diseased states, or before and after treatment with a drug. By analyzing the data generated from a microarray experiment, scientists can identify which genes are upregulated or downregulated, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms underlying various biological processes and diseases.

Other options may seem related to genetic analysis but do not align with the specific function of DNA microarrays. Visualizing DNA structure involves techniques like X-ray crystallography or NMR, measuring protein levels pertains to techniques like ELISA or Western blotting, and editing genes directly relates to technologies like CRISPR/Cas9. These distinctions are critical to understanding the various methods and their specific applications in biotechnology.