Structural genomics of microbial pathogens - An Indian programme

Structural genomics, simply stated, seeks to determine the structures of all proteins coded by genomes of known sequence, using X-ray crystallography, NMR and bioinformatics. The known principles of protein architecture and the available information on the structural and functional classification of proteins, make this an approachable objective. The early excessive preoccupation with folds has now been substantially overcome. The emphasis is now on the determination of a collection of related proteins coded by a given genome or a set of similar proteins coded by different genomes. Taking advantage of the existing strengths in the country, a national programme on the structural genomics of microbial pathogens is being pursued. A major component of the programme is concerned with proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Comparative structural genomics of viruses forms another important component. Although not part of the concerted effort, structural studies on proteins from parasites are also gathering momentum. India has reasonably well-equipped laboratories for carrying out the programme. A major lacuna in the effort is caused by the absence of an Indian synchrotron X-ray facility. The results obtained so far in the programme have been encouraging. Particular attention is being paid to marry the requirements of quantity and quality. The overall objective of the programme is to advance our detailed understanding of selected microbial pathogens at the molecular level and to promote applications that flow from it where possible, under the overall umbrella provided by the genomics effort in the country.