This invention relates to using customize oligonucleotide microchips as
biosensors for the detection and identification of nucleic acids specific
for different genes, organisms and/or individuals in the environment, in
food and in biological samples. The microchips are designed to convert
multiple bits of genetic information into simpler patterns of signals
that are interpreted as a unit. Because of an improved method of
hybridizing oligonucleotides from samples to microchips, microchips are
reusable to transportable. For field study, portable laser or bar code
scanners are suitable.