Small molecules, big data

Interest and excitement grows across life sciences about small molecules. Small molecules were discovered to be key to many biological processes and diseases including cancer and diabetes. What are the key discoveries that can transform our dogmas? Why are these discoveries happening now? What scientists expect from this field? Is it hype or hope? And finally, how big data helps understanding small molecules?

I am working on the interface of metabolism and gene regulation. I am investigating why some key players involved in the break-down of glucose, have “mini jobs” in gene regulation. In order to characterize the structure, dynamics and function of my molecule of interest in my model system, I quantify pools of biological molecules by global approaches in cancer cells. An important question that I am trying to answer is whether the human body requires my molecule of interest to have a moonlighting role in gene regulation.