Systems for categorizing functions of gene products.

As the sequencing of the total DNA of many organisms continues, attention is turning next to the interpretation of the function of all of the genes and gene products, with the aim of learning the full meaning of the entire genetic blueprint of a sequenced organism in concrete terms. To set the stage for accomplishing this, systems need to be constructed for the expression of the functions of gene products in systematic yet rich ways. As much as possible, the same systems should be applicable to all organisms, so that when comparability exists among organisms the connections will become clear.