Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods for the identification of genes and gene products that are implicated in certain disease states. According to the invention, there is provided a method for the identification of a gene that is implicated in a specific disease or physiological condition, said method comprising the steps of comparing: i) the transcriptome or proteome of a first specialized cell type that is implicated in the disease or condition under first and second experimental conditions; with ii) the transcriptome or proteome of a second specialized cell type under said first and said second experimental conditions; and identifying as a gene implicated in the disease or physiological condition, a gene that is differentially regulated in the two specialized cell types under the first and second experimental conditions. The invention also relates to novel genes and gene products identified using these methods.