Sequencing transcriptomes in toto

The development of next-generation sequencing technologies has enabled the transcriptome to be measured and characterized at a level which was previously unattainable. Shot gun sequencing of RNAs, or RNA-Seq as it is known, is providing the means to simultaneously survey locus activity, transcript-specific expression, sequence content of transcripts and transcriptome discovery. This article discusses the current state of RNA-Seq, its potential for redefining transcriptomics and some of the challenges associated with this revolutionary technology.