DNA microarrays, also known as DNA chips, are solid supports used to analyze gene expression by hybridizing complementary DNA sequences, allowing simultaneous assessment of thousands of genes. They have various applications including disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and microbial detection, but face limitations such as high costs, complex data analysis, and a short shelf life. Despite these challenges, DNA microarray technology is a significant advancement in genomics, enabling researchers to uncover the functions of numerous genes in one experiment.