The results from the application of DetectiV to the SARS dataset are encouraging. Here, oligos designed to SARS were not present on the array. However, using a simple NCBI blast search, it was possible to extend the range of viruses covered by the array to include SARS -61 existing oligos showing significant homology to the SARS genome. On application of DetectiV to the updated data, SARS was the top hit. Not only does this offer the promise of being able to extend the coverage of the array without adding further oligos, it also suggests that it is possible to detect viruses without having any unique oligos. This may inform the oligo selection process -it may be equally desirable to have multiple, non-unique oligos to represent a species as it is to have a few that are unique.