• Identify novel antimicrobial targets by finding genes unique to pathogenic microorganisms.
  • Find phenotypes present in pathogenic but not in non-pathogenic strains.
  • Find phenotypes present in pathogenic microbes but not in host cells (animal, plant).

• Test antimicrobial targets and drug leads by comparative phenotyping.
  • Determine MOA of drug leads.
  • Compare phenotypic changes caused by target gene knockout versus drug addition.

Uses with mammalian cells (under development)

• Monitor the genetic stability of cell lines used in research.
  • Identify previously undetected phenotypes resulting from genetic changes in cell lines.
  • Detect cell variability that can decrease reproducibility of experiments.

• Use PMs as a tool to understand gene function.
  • Conduct detailed comparisons of cell lines with genetic differences.
  • Conduct detailed comparisons of cells with genes turned off with RNAi.

• Perform other comparisons of cell lines in basic research and drug target studies.
  • Compare normal versus abnormal or diseased cells.
  • Compare cancerous versus non-cancerous cells.
  • Compare virus infected versus virus-free cells.
  • Compare cells from various tissues.
  • Compare cells in different states or stages of development.
  • Determine changes in cells with senescence and aging.
  • Determine metabolic properties of cells.
  • Determine and optimize effects of culture conditions on cells.
  • Find conditions that cause or inhibit cell differentiation.

• Use PMs as a tool to test drug leads.
  • Compare phenotypic changes caused by target gene inactivation versus drug addition.
  • Determine MOA of drugs.
  • Determine secondary and side effects of drugs.
  • Test for drug synergies and antagonisms.
  • Determine potential toxicology of drug leads in multiple tissue-derived cell lines.