Exploring the metabolic and genetic control of gene expression on a genomic scale

DNA chips: state-of-the art

The technology and applications of microarrays of immobilized DNA or oligonucleotides are reviewed. DNA arrays are fabricated by high-speed robotics on glass or nylon substrates, for which labeled probes are used to determine complementary binding allowing massively parallel gene expression and gene discovery studies. Oligonucleotide microarrays are fabricated either by in situ light-directed combinational synthesis or by conventional synthesis followed by immobilization on glass substrates. Sample DNA is amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and a fluorescent label is inserted and hybridized to the microarray. This technology has been successfully applied to the simultaneous expression of many thousands of genes and to large-scale gene discovery, as well as polymorphism screening and mapping of genomic DNA clones.

Functional analysis of the yeast genome

The release of the complete genome sequence of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has ushered in a new phase of genome research in which sequence function will be assigned. The goal is to determine the biological function of each of the > 6,000 open reading frames in the yeast genome. Innovative approaches have been developed that exploit the sequence data and yield information about gene expression levels, protein levels, subcellular localization and gene function for the entire genome.

Functional genomics: it's all how you read it

Hieter and Boguski describe the new era of functional genomics that is being entered as the mapping and sequencing (structural genomics) phase of the Human Genome Project draws to a close. Functional genomics involves the development of global experimental approaches for analyzing gene function by utilizing information and reagents provided by structural genomics. Functional genomic data needs to be generated by rigorous experiments to allow a fair evaluation of the emerging technologies. The data should also be made publicly accessible in order for the scientific community to gain maximum benefit.