The emergence of physiological genomics

'Physiological genomics' represents a research paradigm shift emerging to d efine the functions of tens of thousands of newly discovered genes which ar e expected to emerge from the sequencing of the human genome and other mode l organisms. Genomic tools, which will allow a higher efficiency of identif ication of gene function, are being developed at remarkable speed, This art icle discusses some of the genomic and bioinformatic tools currently availa ble or under development to provide the infrastructure for mapping and iden tification of gene function in simple organisms (bacteria, zebrafish, fly, worm) and complex mammalian organisms (mouse and rat). The problems facing the scientific community in the implementation of this functional approach are discussed as it is now evident that new technological and organizationa l infrastructures are emerging to link genes to overall function of whole o rganisms.