DNA chips enable comprehensive investigations of genes by concentrating a large number of DNA on glass or silicon substrate then affixing blood after it has been processed. DNA chips can help speed up research related to the material characterization of genes or new drug development, they pave the way for personalized medical care in which treatment is designed in accordance with the bodily makeup of each individual, and otherwise possess an array of possibilities.
Mitsubishi Chemical Medience Corporation is partnering with Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd. to develop DNA chips that can be used in practical applications at medical facilities. The companies have developed a DNA chip that makes possible the advanced diagnosis of septicemia and sepsis, a condition which causes high fevers due to the presence of staphylococci and other pathogens in the blood. In addition to reducing the amount of time required for testing DNA in pathogens from several days to several hours, the partnership is also currently involved in developing DNA chips that can successively predict the efficacy of anticancer agents. Also, Mitsubishi Chemical Safety Institute Ltd. has formed an alliance with Affymetrix Japan K.K. an affiliated company of global DNA chip giant Affymetrix, Inc. The company has led the industry in starting comprehensive contract analysis services that cover from consulting on expression analyses using Affymetrix's 'GeneChip' to a variety of tests, RNA sample extractions, and DNA chip-based discovery and analysis.