title: Uncovering the role of genomic "dark matter" in human disease.
abstract: The human genome encodes thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Although most remain functionally uncharacterized biological "dark matter," lncRNAs have garnered considerable attention for their diverse roles in human biology, including developmental programs and tumor suppressor gene networks. As the number of lncRNAs associated with human disease grows, ongoing research efforts are focusing on their regulatory mechanisms. New technologies that enable enumeration of lncRNA interaction partners and determination of lncRNA structure are well positioned to drive deeper understanding of their functions and involvement in pathogenesis. In turn, lncRNAs may become targets for therapeutic intervention or new tools for biotechnology.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Epithelial Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Lance
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Howard Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D022661:RNA, Untranslated