The Use of Genomics in Model in Vitro Systems

Traditional toxicological tests generally provide descriptive information regarding the potential toxicity of chemicals, drugs and physical agents and are limited in their ability to assess risk to humans because they use model systems that are nonhuman in origin. Upon completion of the sequencing of the human genome, new tools were established that identify early biomarkers of toxicity and disease not only in model organisms but also in man. Gene expression profiling led to the development of a new subdiscipline of toxicology termed toxicogenomics. This new subdiscipline combines the emerging technologies of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics to identify and characterize mechanisms of action of known and suspected toxicants. This chapter describes some advances in the area of toxicogenomics and discusses several models to study chemical-induced liver injury.