Enhancer Identification through Comparative Genomics
With the availability of genomic sequence from numerousvertebrates, a paradigm shift has occurred in the identification ofdistant-acting gene regulatory elements. In contrast to traditionalgene-centric studies in which investigators randomly scanned genomicfragments that flank genes of interest in functional assays, the modernapproach begins electronically with publicly available comparativesequence datasets that provide investigators with prioritized lists ofputative functional sequences based on their evolutionary conservation.However, although a large number of tools and resources are nowavailable, application of comparative genomic approaches remains far fromtrivial. In particular, it requires users to dynamically consider thespecies and methods for comparison depending on the specific biologicalquestion under investigation. While there is currently no single generalrule to this end, it is clear that when applied appropriately,comparative genomic approaches exponentially increase our power ingenerating biological hypotheses for subsequent experimentaltesting.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director, Office of Science; National Institutes ofHealth
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231; NIHHL066681
- OSTI ID:
- 917543
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-61825; R&D Project: GHPG6C; BnR: 400412000; TRN: US200817%%745
- Journal Information:
- Seminars in Cell&Development Biology, Vol. 18, Issue 1; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 01/05/2007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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