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Gene expression patterns and cancer

Nature Biotechnology volume 16, pages 1292–1293 (1998)Cite this article

In cancer research, as well as in other major areas of modern biology, a revolutionary transition has begun. Until recently, molecular biological research has been searching for the genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying multicellular organization using experimental systems that yield extremely low levels of information relative to the contents of the system being interrogated. Because of the limitations of technology, most studies have focused on only a small group of biological parameters, even when the phenomena studied were clearly part of a more complex network of mutually dependent causative factors.

However, recent technological developments that allow for robust data acquisition, along with highly coordinated, large-scale data-generating programs—such as the Human Genome Project—promise a significant increase in the amount of information attainable from biological systems. This will bring into effect a conceptually different strategic framework for biological research. Namely, for a given system, a vast pool of data will be obtained in a highly parallel fashion, and then the relevant information will be extracted with the aid of specialized computer programs.

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  1. department of pharmacology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD

    Zoltan Szallasi

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  1. Zoltan Szallasi
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Szallasi, Z. Gene expression patterns and cancer. Nat Biotechnol 16, 1292–1293 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/4381

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