Applications of RNA-Seq in Biology and Medicine

Book excerpt: This book evaluates and comprehensively summarizes the scientific findings that have been achieved through RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology. RNA-Seq transcriptome profiling of healthy and diseased tissues allows FOR understanding the alterations in cellular phenotypes through the expression of differentially spliced RNA isoforms. Assessment of gene expression by RNA-Seq provides new insight into host response to pathogens, drugs, allergens, and other environmental triggers. RNA-Seq allows us to accurately capture all subtypes of RNA molecules, in any sequenced organism or single-cell type, under different experimental conditions. Merging genomics and transcriptomic profiling provides novel information underlying causative DNA mutations. Combining RNA-Seq with immunoprecipitation and cross-linking techniques is a clever multi-omics strategy assessing transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational levels of gene expression regulation.