Abstract: Methods are provided for the analysis of gene expression utilizing RNA from hair follicles. Methods are also provided for evaluation of the biological activity of a candidate substance, genetic diagnosis, and evaluation of disease, each involving analysis of gene expression utilizing RNA from hair follicles.

Abstract: Techniques for associative analysis of gene expression array data. A representative method includes collecting a plurality of expression profiles of a control group and an experimental group; normalizing the expression profiles relative to their backgrounds; adjusting the profiles to identify outliers and to re-scale to an averaged profile of the control group; identifying a group of similarly expressed genes, defining a reference group; identifying a plurality of differentially expressed genes in the experimental group using a paired T-test and an associative T-test; and classifying the differentially expressed genes as (a) likely false positive, (b) real positives, or (c) potential positives.