Genomic approaches to drug discovery

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2006 Aug;10(4):303-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.06.024. Epub 2006 Jul 5.

Abstract

Considerable progress has been made in exploiting the enormous amount of genomic and genetic information for the identification of potential targets for drug discovery and development. New tools that incorporate pathway information have been developed for gene expression data mining to reflect differences in pathways in normal and disease states. In addition, forward and reverse genetics used in a high-throughput mode with full-length cDNA and RNAi libraries enable the direct identification of components of signaling pathways. The discovery of the regulatory function of microRNAs highlights the importance of continuing the investigation of the genome with sophisticated tools. Furthermore, epigenetic information including DNA methylation and histone modifications that mediate important biological processes add to the possibilities to identify novel drug targets and patient populations that will benefit from new therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computational Biology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Genomics / methods*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / analysis

Substances

  • MicroRNAs