The last three years have resulted in a literal explosion of new techniques to examine responses of organisms to internal and external stimuli at the molecular level. This book outlines the use of techniques such as polymerase chain reaction assays or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure single mRNA products or proteins diagnostics of exposure/effects of chemicals with well-defined modes or mechanisms of action. It explores exactly how data generated from new genomics technologies might actually impact/benefit the risk assessment process. A guide on how genomics research can impact regulatory decision making, the book also informs risk assessors on how genomics data may be used.

Fueled partially by large, well-publicized efforts such as the Human Genome Project, genomic research is a rapidly growing area in multiple biological disciplines, including toxicology. Much of this potential, however, has been discussed in the literature and at technical meetings only in relatively broad terms, making it difficult to assess exactly how data generated from new genomics technologies might actually impact or benefit the risk assessment process.