RESUMO
The array CGH technique (Array Comparative Genome Hybridization) has been developed to detect chromosomal copy number changes on a genome-wide and/or high-resolution scale. It is mainly used in human genetics and oncology. Generally PCR amplified bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) or cDNAs have been spotted on the arrays as probes. Recently, however, oligonucleotide arrays designed with more flexibility and provide much higher resolution with high sensitivity, have been successfully explored in stead of BAC array CGH and can save considerable time and efforts. There will be a gradual transition from BAC array CGH to oligonucleotide array CGH in the coming years. The combination of oaCGH and other high-through put analysis can lead to discoveries of a host of novel oncogenes, tumor suppressors as well as tumor drug resistance genes. Some major platforms of oaCGH concerning their spatial resolution, optimal probe length, sensitivity, specificity and application in recent years were compared.