RESUMO
Eight-hundred thousand to one trillion prokaryotic species may inhabit our planet. Yet, fewer than two-hundred thousand prokaryotic species have been described. This uncharted fraction of microbial diversity, and its undisclosed coding potential, is known as the "microbial dark matter" (MDM). Next-generation sequencing has allowed to collect a massive amount of genome sequence data, leading to unprecedented advances in the field of genomics. Still, harnessing new functional information from the genomes of uncultured prokaryotes is often limited by standard classification methods. These methods often rely on sequence similarity searches against reference genomes from cultured species. This hinders the discovery of unique genetic elements that are missing from the cultivated realm. It also contributes to the accumulation of prokaryotic gene products of unknown function among public sequence data repositories, highlighting the need for new approaches for sequencing data analysis and classification. Increasing evidence indicates that these proteins of unknown function might be a treasure trove of biotechnological potential. Here, we outline the challenges, opportunities, and the potential hidden within the functional dark matter (FDM) of prokaryotes. We also discuss the pitfalls surrounding molecular and computational approaches currently used to probe these uncharted waters, and discuss future opportunities for research and applications.
RESUMO
Resumo Considerando a genética como uma área de rápido avanço nas áreas biomédicas e de inclusão recente como disciplina nos currículos das faculdades de medicina, procura-se verificar o grau e o tipo de conhecimento por parte dos alunos de medicina da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil sobre o papel do geneticista como especialista médico, bem como avaliar a influência da disciplina de genética médica na modificação dos conceitos prévios relativos à esta questão .Para tanto, foram aplicados dois questionários padronizados no primeiro e último dia de aula nos semestres de 1992/2 e 1993/1. Nos questionários PRÉ disciplina as principais funções atribuídas ao médico geneticista foram relacionadas a pesquisa e laboratório (32%). Nos questionários PÓS disciplina as atribuições passaram a ser estudo e diagnóstico de síndromes (29,1%). Aconselhamento genético (26,1%) e tratamento (17,2%). As diferenças foram estatisticamente significantes (P<0,01).
Summary Genetics has been advanced faster in the biomedical areas and recently had been included as a course in the curriculum of the medicine schools. Taking those facts into consideration, this study intends to verify the type and degree of knowledge of the students of medicine of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) - Brazil in relation to the role of the geneticist as a medical specialist, before and after taking the Medical Genetics course, regularly offered at the Medical School Of UFRGS, and the influence of this course on the modifications of their previous notions on the subject. Two Types of standard questionnaires were applied on the first and the last day of two class semesters (92/2 and 93/1). In PRE questionnaires, the main functions attributed to the clinical geneticist were related to research and laboratory (32%); in POST questionnaires, emphasis was given to study diagnoses (29,1%), genetic counselling (26,1%) and treatment (17,2%). The differences were statistically significant (p<0.01)
