A DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) chip is a solid support (typically glass or nylon) onto which are fixed single strands of DNA sequences. The sequences are made synthetically and are arranged in a pattern that is referred to as an array. DNA chips are a means by which a large amount of DNA can be screened for the presence of target regions. Furthermore, samples can be compared to compare the effects of a treatment, environmental condition, or other factor on the activity. One example of the use of a DNA microarray is the screening for the development of a mutation in a gene. The original gene would be capable of binding to the synthetic DNA target, whereas the mutated gene does not bind. Such an experiment has been exploited in the search for genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance, and in the manufacture of...