Future directions in alcoholism research - Genomics and gene transfer

Alcohol affects the process by which genes direct the synthesis of proteins (i.e., expression). Therefore, patterns of gene expression in the presence of alcohol can help scientists identify the specific molecular sites of al cohol's actions within the brain. New technologies can detect and quantify changes in the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously by scanning microscopic gene arrays applied to glass or silicon chips an inch or so squ are. However, genes whose activity is altered in the presence of alcohol ma y either be contributing to alcoholism development or may be reacting to al cohol's presence. This question can be researched by observing the effects of manipulating the level of specific gene products. One way to accomplish this end is by means of viruses that have been engineered to express a spec ific gene in infected cells. This technique has been applied successfully i n studying addictive behaviors. It is suggested that patterns of gene expre ssion may become a diagnostic fool, with different disease states being cha racterized by distinct expression profiles.