The dark genome – a loose term that covers non-coding regions of the genome that are capable of regulating the expression of genes, previously rather inaccurately referred to as junk DNA – is increasingly being explored by biopharma companies for new drug targets.
Oxford-based Nucleome – which is developing an atlas of the dark genome and is focusing initially on finding drugs for autoimmune diseases – notes that the region contains 90% of disease-associated genetic changes, including autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
