Emerging antisense technologies for gene functionalization and drug discovery

In February 2001, the efforts of the Human Genome Project (HGP) resulted in the publication of a 'working draft' of the entire human genome. It is expected that final sequencing and annotation of the genome will be completed within two years nd the HGP is beginning to focus on identifying the functions of thousands of novel genes. During the past few years, antisense oligomers have been widely used as potent tools for functional genomics and drug target validation. This article describes the established and emerging antisense technologies that will continue the efforts to unlock the function of the human genome.