**4. Conclusion and perspectives**

Here we show a new high throughput approach in exploring genes relevant to CRC progression in terms of liver metastasis. Our method has yielded initial results related to the importance of claudins and IGFBP in liver colonization. Nevertheless, we reason that other genes, which result from this model, might be even more valuable. For instance, one of the very important and interesting gene families that resulted from this model, which is extensively investigated, is the endothelin system with all its components (endothelins, their converting enzymes and their receptors). Several members of this system could prove useful as tumor/metastasis markers. Future experiments will show whether such a functional model can compete or complement, at least partially, other techniques, including whole genome sequencing.
