Chemical Genomics
What is chemical genomics?
Chemical genomics is the discovery or creation of target-specific chemical ligands and the application of these ligands to experiments. These experiments investigate the function of genes and proteins in the entire cell. Valuable information, including how gene expression, proteins, and genetic interaction changes, can be used to develop novel drugs and learn more about existing drug's side effects. [1]
Chemical Genomic screens
Since Kindler syndrome is a disease that changes over time and affects a variety of complex systems in the body, an in vivo chemical genomic screen would be useful in a study on this condition. Zebrafish are well suited for this assay because they can reproduce quickly and efficiently, and their transparent embryos develop outside the womb, which makes them easily observable.[2]
Following a preliminary screen, variables for the test are determined, which include the chemicals that will be tested or the chemical library, the embryonic stage, number of embryos, chemical concentration and how long it will be exposed to the embryos, among others. Individual embryos are put into each well. These wells have different chemicals added to them at a specified time in development to ensure the desired bodily system is active. Hits are identified by phenotypic differences, which can be as simple as morphological changes to the fish.[2]
PubChem is a database that has data from studies that feature these kinds of assays. Proteins or genes of interest can be searched, and if a previous study found chemicals that interact with the protein or gene, it can be found there. |
Figure 1: Embryos are added to a plate. The plate then has chemicals from the chemical library added to it. Red dots indicate phenotypically altered fish, or hits.
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Discussion
According to PubChem, FERMT1 has not previously been found to interact with any small molecules. The potential discovery of novel chemical interactions between FERMT1 and a molecule could lead to the discovery of a possible drug treatment for Kindler syndrome.
REFERENCES
Header image: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/molecule
Figure 1: Created on BioRender.com by Lucas Moyer
1. Zheng, Steven, and Ting-Fung Chan. “Chemical Genomics: A Systematic Approach in Biological Research and Drug Discovery.” Current Issues in Molecular Biology. 4 Apr 2002.
2. Dang, Michelle, et al. "Cancer and Zebrafish: Mechanisms, Techniques, and Models: Chemical Genetics." Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 11 May 2016.
Figure 1: Created on BioRender.com by Lucas Moyer
1. Zheng, Steven, and Ting-Fung Chan. “Chemical Genomics: A Systematic Approach in Biological Research and Drug Discovery.” Current Issues in Molecular Biology. 4 Apr 2002.
2. Dang, Michelle, et al. "Cancer and Zebrafish: Mechanisms, Techniques, and Models: Chemical Genetics." Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 11 May 2016.
This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison."