With advances in determining the entire DNA sequence of the human genome, it is now critical to systematically identify the function of a number of genes in the human genome. These biological challenges, especially those in human diseases, should be a...
With advances in determining the entire DNA sequence of the human genome, it is now critical to systematically identify the function of a number of genes in the human genome. These biological challenges, especially those in human diseases, should be addressed in human cells in which conventional (e.g. genetic) approaches have been extremely difficult to implement. To overcome this, several approaches have been initiated. This review will focus on the development of a novel 'chemical genetic/genomic approach' that uses small molecules to 'probe and identify' the function of genes in specific biological processes or pathways in human cells. Due to the close relationship of small molecules with drugs, these systematic and integrative studies will lead to the 'medicinal systems biology approach' which is critical to 'formulate and modulate' complex biological (disease) networks by small molecules (drugs) in human bio-systems.