Using ‘omic’ technology to targetHelicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a causative agent for ulcers, gastritis and cancer of the stomach. Its colonisation of approximately half the world's population makes it a serious health risk and the increase in resistance to antibiotic therapies means that the search for new treatments to abrogate the disease is of growing importance. Since the publication of the complete DNA sequence data for H. pylori, it has been possible to examine the global pattern for different aspects of the bacteria, such as its proteome, genome and transcriptome and use this information to address the problem of H. pylori associated disease. This review examines the use of techniques collected together under the term 'omics' in order to target the disease caused by H. pylori and suggests where these technologies may lead in the future.