Genetic map of cells possibly indicate causes of disease

Scientists seem to have found a significant breakthrough in recognizing sources of diseases. Researchers from University of Toronto have apparently found a technique to map the communications of genes inside a cell. This could turn out to be a huge step forward in comprehending the causes of disease and thereby result in more accurate targeting of drug treatments.

Although the genetic makeup of humans has been verified, the reason and communications of those genes have apparently not been well perceived.

A global research headed by Professor Brenda Andrews, director of the Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, and Professor Charles Boone, a principal investigator at the Donnelly Centre, appears to have discovered a method to decode the networks consequent from ordinary genetic variation.

Andrews commented, “No one has made a map of these genetic interactions. This research has provided us with a functional view of the cell.”

Operating with cells from simple yeasts, the scientists appeared to have developed a technique to chart the relations inside these cells. Apparently, this is the first time that it has been conducted for any organism. As yeast cells are said to be astonishingly comparable hereditarily to human cells, this mapping procedure has apparently significant connotations for improving research into human health like better comprehension of the genetic base of disease.

The mapping procedure can facilitate researchers to create an entire atlas of genetic relations, thus enabling it feasible to decipher the roles the thousands of genes in a cell. Such an atlas can offer important details about the connection between a person’s genotype and phenotype. This information could increase perception of what genetic relations are going wrong when a disease occurs in a body.

Andrews mentioned, “These types of maps will allow us to be much smarter in the use of drugs in the future. By knowing the interactions of genes, we will be able to better predict the effect of a drug on a cell.”

The researchers could also map communications between genes and chemicals, which seems to let scientists observe more accurately as to what happens to a cell when a specific drug is released into the body.

The research was published in the Journal Science.