Toxicogenomics: Impact on human health
J. K. Selkirk
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
Abstract: Toxicology is the science of adverse effects of chemicals,
drugs, environmental agents, and stressors. Genomics defines the structure,
sequence (code), and function of the entire DNA complement of organisms.
The interface of these diverse disciplines is called toxicogenomics
and is based upon the application of genomic technologies to define
globally the changes in gene expression (both mRNA and proteins) as
a consequence of exposures. DNA microarray technology enables the simultaneous
measurement of transcription of thousands of genes using microchips
containing thousands of probes of complementary DNA (cDNA) immobilized
in a predetermined array. The ultimate application of this technology
to toxicology holds great promise but faces several formidable problems.
With the solution to these problems, it will be possible to develop
a substantial database of Chemical Effects in Biological Systems (CEBS).
Such a database will provide the capacity to relate specific changes
in gene expression to specific adverse effects and to look for similar
pathways in different organisms. Such data will provide an objective
way of assessing surrogate systems for reporting or predicting potential
adverse effects in humans. While the potential for toxicogenomics is
thus very high for studying active substances, the task must be approached
in a deliberate, incremental manner to insure that only high-quality
data are compiled and analyzed. This workshop will present the latest
results of research conducted in leading international laboratories
studying endocrine-mediated toxicity.
*Report from a SCOPE/IUPAC project: Implication of
Endocrine Active Substances for Human and Wildlife (J. Miyamoto and
J.Burger, editors). Other reports are published in this issue,
pp. 1617-2615.
Page last modified 12 February 2004.
Copyright © 2004 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Questions or comments about IUPAC, please contact, the Secretariat.
Questions regarding the website, please contact web
manager.
