Target Identification and Validation: Tissue Biobanks

Abstract

Tools, technical platforms and methods need to be wisely utilized to aid target identification and validation in translational processes. Amongst these, several -omics sciences have been established and constitute nowadays fields of their own. Such is the case of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, which address the genome, RNA, proteome and metabolome, respectively. Biobanks represent essential sources of information and pharmacogenetics helps to personalize drug developments early on. From such repositories and -omics research, valuable biomarkers can be derived, and consortial approaches are being used to facilitate this process. Modern biomedical research with the aim of translating research findings into novel therapies to benefit patients relies to a large extent on animal models of human pathophysiology. Ultimately, early human trials further humanize and corroborate drug targets and allow for translatability scoring to predict final success of translation.