ABSTRACT
The transcriptome is the mRNA pool found within a cell. Transcriptomic discovery approaches include microarray-based technologies as well as sequencing-based technologies. Transcriptomic experiments provide dynamic information about gene expression at the tissue level. Complementing the transcriptome, the proteome is the pool of proteins expressed in a cell, tissue, or fluid at a given time and circumstance. The word “proteomics” summarizes several technologies for visualization, quantitation, and identification of these proteins. Unlike transcriptomic studies, proteomic studies can give information about localization, interactions, posttranslational modifications, and activation states of gene products. Protein separation can be accomplished using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), protein chips with an affinity matrix, or by a variety of advanced chromatographic methods. Then mass spectrometry (MS) is used to identify separated proteins using bioinformatics approaches linked to protein sequence databases. In another approach, peptide libraries are being used to identify molecules, which bind to platelets and to enzymatic components of the coagulation cascade. This chapter will discuss how transcriptomic and proteomic techniques are being used to study thrombosis in model systems and in patients with atherosclerotic disease and hypercoagulable conditions. The drive to discover new antithrombotic drugs using these techniques has met with several limitations and, while holding promise, has not yet reached the bedside. This chapter will explore these challenges and enumerate strategies for moving forward.
