What Are the Challenges in Functional Genomics for Cancer?
Despite its potential, functional genomics in cancer research faces several challenges:
Complexity of Cancer Genomes: Cancer genomes are highly heterogeneous, making it difficult to pinpoint which genetic changes are drivers versus passengers. Data Integration: Integrating data from various functional genomics techniques (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) is challenging but essential for a comprehensive understanding. Technical Limitations: High-throughput technologies can sometimes produce noisy data, requiring sophisticated bioinformatics tools for accurate interpretation. Ethical Considerations: The use of patient data and samples in genomics research raises ethical issues concerning privacy and consent.