High-throughput target discovery using cell-based genetics.

High-throughput target discovery requires robust disease models and the ability to rapidly survey the genome for function. In the post-genomics era, there has been a strong emphasis placed upon "gene-to-function" approaches that take advantage of the large amount of gene sequence information now available. Here, we advocate a return to "function-to-gene" approaches as a first step in target discovery (and validation), followed by hypothesis-driven research to validate new targets identified by their activity in cell-based disease models.