Genotype to phenotype: a technological challenge

Our ability to ascribe protein function from primary DNA sequence or to predict the wide-ranging effects of up or down regulating a single gene is still almost non-existent. While the acquisition of raw genomic data proceeds apace, our capacity for converting this information into useful knowledge is limited. Within the next few years this gap will no doubt become an issue with both company and government fund providers as the drive to maximise profit and justify public expenditure becomes harder to resist. What follows is a whistle stop tour of some of the technologies that may help researchers to bridge this genotype-phenotype gap!.