This noncoding RNA catalog represents a major step toward achieving a more complete understanding of this exciting frontier. We have identified a large number of putative lincRNAs with characteristics suggesting functionality. However, many of these lincRNAs are low expressed and definitive proof of functionality for a lincRNA requires functional experiments. High throughput functional genomic approaches, such as RNAi and cDNA overexpression screens, will serve as crucial tools for future efforts to uncover the roles of lincRNAs in diverse biological systems. With the requisite technology now available for these next generation experimental approaches, the time is ripe for this dark matter of the human genome to step further into the spotlight.
