Yellow pages to the transcriptome.
Transcriptomics has become an important tool for the large-scale analysis of biological processes. This review aims to provide sufficient criteria to make an appropriate choice among the variety of 'closed' systems, represented by DNA microarrays, and 'open' systems like fragment display, tag sequencing and subtractive hybridization, depending on the biological system under investigation. The most important technologies currently available are presented, their strengths and weaknesses are discussed and companies active in the field are listed. The potential of transcriptomics in the pharmaceutical research and development process is highlighted by applications in oncology, research on neurological diseases, and predictive toxicology. Finally, a prognosis for future developments of the technologies is given.
Scheel
Julia
J
Axaron Bioscience AG, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. scheel@axaron.com
Von Brevern
Marie-Charlotte
MC
Hörlein
Andreas
A
Fischer
Achim
A
Schneider
Armin
A
Bach
Alfred
A
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*