Injury in the era of genomics

The traditional approach to the study of biology employs small-scale experi mentation that results in the description of a molecular sequence of known function or relevance. In the era of the genome the reverse is true. as lar ge-scale cloning and gene sequencing come first, followed by the use of com putational methods to systematically determine gene function and regulation , The overarching goal of this new approach is to translate the knowledge l earned from a systematic, global analysis of genomic data into a complete u nderstanding of biology. For investigators who study shock, the specific go al is to increase understanding of the adaptive response to injury at the l evel of the entire genome. This review describes our initial experience usi ng DNA microarrays to profile stress-induced changes in gene expression. We conclude that efforts to apply genomics to the study of injury are best co ordinated by multi-disciplinary groups, because of the extensive expertise required.