Impact of genomics on drug discovery and clinical medicine

Genomics, particularly high-throughput sequencing and characterization of e xpressed human genes, has created new opportunities for drug discovery. Kno wledge of all the human genes and their functions may allow effective preve ntive measures, annd change drug research strategy and drug discovery devel opment processes. Pharmacogenomics is the application of genomic technologi es such as gene sequencing, statistical genetics, and gene expression analy sis to drugs in clinical development and on the market. It applies the larg e-scale systematic approaches of genomics to speed the discovery of drug re sponse markers, whether they act at the level of the drug target, drug meta bolism, or disease pathways. The potential implication of genomics and phar macogenomics in clinical research and clinical medicine is that disease cou ld be treated according to genetic and specific individual markers, selecti ng medications and dosages that are optimized for individual patients. The possibility of defining patient populations genetically may improve outcome s by predicting individual responses to drugs, and could improve safety and efficacy in therapeutic areas such as neuropsychiatry, cardiovascular medi cine, endocrinology (diabetes and obesity) and oncology. Ethical questions need to be addressed and guidelines established for the use of genomics in clinical research and clinical medicine. Significant achievements are possi ble with an interdisciplinary approach that includes genetic, technological and therapeutic measures.