Microarray technology is now a major tool available to the geneticist. The technology allows researchers to look at the expression of a vast array of genes simultaneously, and myriad applications have been found in the last few years. But deciding on the best microarray system for the needs of the research is a difficult task, with several choices available.

When you think of the Human Genome Project, images of banks of sequencing machines pumping out millions of base pairs of information comes to mind. According to Dr John Barlow, Melbourne divisional manager of the Australian Genome Research Facility, state-of-the-art sequencing is still largely electrophoresis-based. However, sequencers have come a long way since the days of pouring your own sequencing gel and using radioactive dideoxynucleotides.

The task of creating specialised software tools to decipher the complexities of genes and proteins until recently has been a do-it-yourself project for the bio-research community.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a technique that allows researchers to separate analytes based on their differential mobilities in aqueous media when an electric field is applied.

Sample capacity is at the heart of the decision on what capillary electrophoresis system best fits a lab's needs.