Chemical genetics is the use of small molecule compounds to perturb a biological system in order to explore the outcome. [1] This is a class of techniques that essentially screen for small molecule modulators. An example of small molecules that are found through techniques of chemical genetics are pharmaceutical drugs used to treat diseases.
Figure 1. The Nature of Chemical Genetics
How can chemical genetics be used?
Chemical genetics can be an extremely useful tool for genetic research, one of its most powerful uses being found in the process of drug development. Chemical genetics allows for the discovery of small molecules, which when introduced to a biological system, have a significant effect on a given phenotype such as a disease. An in-depth study of proteins through the use of chemical genetics allow for researchers to discovery important information regarding various diseases. Using databases such as PubChem also provides extremely useful information about research previously conducted on certain proteins.
Conclusion
When using the PubChem database, there was not significant information on the TCF4 protein and chemical genetic work conducted on its function in PTHS. This is most likely due to the fact that there are no drugs that have been discovered to treat PTHS and very little research is done with the purpose of seeking a medicinal cure.
References Header:https://art.alphacoders.com/arts/view/75112 [1] Chemical Genetics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://www.nature.com/subjects/chemical-genetics [2]Harrison, C. (2014). Genome-wide target identification. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery,13(2), 104-104. doi:10.1038/nrd4248