Functional Genomics in the Context of Biocatalysis and Biodegradation

Functional genomics aims at uncovering useful information carried on genome sequences and at using it to understand the mechanisms of biological function. Elucidating the unknown biological functions of new genes based upon the genomics rationales will greatly speed up the extensive understanding of biocatalysis and biodegradation in biological world including microorganisms. DNA microarrays generate a system for the simultaneous measurement of the expression level of thousands of genes in a single hybridization assay. Their data mining (transcriptome) strategy has two categories: differential gene expression and coordinated gene expression. Furthermore, measurement of proteins (proteome) generates information on how the transcribed sequences end up as functional characteristics within the cell, and quantitation of metabolites yields information on how the functional proteins act to produce energy and process substrates (metabolome). Various composite functional genomics databases containing genetic, enzymatic and metabolic information have been developed and will contribute to the understanding of the life blue print and the new discoveries and practices in biocatalysis and biodegradation that could enrich their industrial and environmental applications.