Peptide arrays: from macro to micro

Over the past decade of proteome research peptide arrays have become a widespread and powerful tool to study molecular recognition events and to identify biologically active peptides. A variety of applications such as epitope mapping, characterisation of protein–protein interactions, enzyme–substrate or inhibitor interactions, and many more, have been published. Today's technologies for array production, inspired by DNA chips, have recently turned to the miniaturisation of peptide arrays. These advances open up an expanding spectrum of applications and the information obtained will be well-suited to developing substrates and inhibitors for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.