Basic science research on the urinary bladder and interstitial cystitis: New genetic approaches

This article summarizes recent genetic research that promises to advance un derstanding of the functioning of the urinary bladder and further our knowl edge about interstitial cystitis. Results reported at the Tenth Internation al Research Symposium on Interstitial Cystitis and Bladder Research and in the current literature are presented. Three specific areas of genetic resea rch are summarized: gene expression via DNA arrays, development of new anim al models through transgenic or gene knockout approaches, and gene therapy. Advances in genetic research (specifically in gene therapy; development of new, genetically engineered mouse models; and study of gene expression usi ng DNA array assays) will contribute to further understanding the functioni ng of the urinary bladder in health and disease. (C) 2001, Elsevier Science Inc.