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Molecular networks as sensors and drivers of common human diseases

Nature volume 461, pages 218–223 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

The molecular biology revolution led to an intense focus on the study of interactions between DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the cell. One consequence of this focus was a reduced attention to whole-system physiology, making it difficult to link molecular biology to clinical medicine. Equipped with the tools emerging from the genomics revolution, we are now in a position to link molecular states to physiological ones through the reverse engineering of molecular networks that sense DNA and environmental perturbations and, as a result, drive variations in physiological states associated with disease.

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Figure 1: Hierarchy of causal relationships.
Figure 2: Linking molecular biology to physiology through molecular networks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Biosciences, 1505 Adams Drive, Menlo Park, 94025, California, USA

    Eric E. Schadt

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E.E.S. was recently employed by, and owns stock in, Merck & Co. At present, he is chief scientific officer of Pacific Biosciences.

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Correspondence should be addressed to E.E.S. (eschadt@pacificbiosciences.com).

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Schadt, E. Molecular networks as sensors and drivers of common human diseases. Nature 461, 218–223 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08454

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