An overview of gene regulation

It is not unreasonable to assume that in the near future next-generation sequencing techniques will allow the sequencing of all the DNA and expressed types of RNA involved in a given response or process. Such a range of data will be necessary to unravel the complexities of the multiple layers involved in the regulation of gene expression. In this article we discuss a broad range of studies about gene regulation. These involve studies of processes such as transcription and splicing, the production of a variety of transcripts, and the involvement of protein-nucleic acid composites such as chromatin.We seek to shed light on common themes that are beginning to develop in these rapidly evolving, but intimately related, fields.