RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Comparative mycobacterial genomics as a tool for drug target and antigen discovery
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 78s
OP 86s
DO 10.1183/09031936.02.00400202
VO 20
IS 36 suppl
A1 S.T. Cole
YR 2002
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/20/36_suppl/78s.abstract
AB Genomics and the associated downstream technologies are generating vast data sets that provide new opportunities for understanding and combating both infectious and genetic diseases in humans. The genomic approach has been applied to tuberculosis, a major cause of transmissible morbidity and mortality, with notable success. Complete genome sequences are now available for three members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and the related intracellular pathogen M. leprae. Many of the predictions generated in silico by genomics have been validated through functional analysis, including studies of the transcriptome and proteome, and led to the identification of essential genes. Knowledge of the latter defines potential targets for new and existing drugs and their specificity can be assessed by comparative genomics with the host or other pathogens. Genomics is also furthering tuberculosis vaccine development by pinpointing potentially antigenic proteins as well as providing better diagnostic tools to detect infection.