WILL GENETICS REALLY REVOLUTIONIZE THE DRUG DISCOVERY PROCESS

Genetics has played only a modest role in drug discovery, but new tech nologies will radically change this. Whole genome sequencing will iden tify new drug discovery targets, and emerging methods for the determin ation of gene function will increase the ability to select robust targ ets. Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms and common polymorph isms will enhance the investigation of polygenic diseases and the use of genetics in drug development. Oligonucleotide arraying technologies will allow analysis of gene expression patterns in novel ways. (C) Cu rrent Biology Ltd ISSN 0958-1669.