Genomics

Genomics is an interdisciplinary field of <a href="/facts/Molecular_biology/YgqU35ub">molecular biology</a> focusing on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of <a href="/facts/Genome/31Sm08JT">genomes</a>. A genome is an organism's complete set of <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a>, including all of its genes as well as its hierarchical, three-dimensional structural configuration.[excessive citations] In contrast to <a href="/facts/Genetics/bu8wne0A">genetics</a>, which refers to the study of individual genes and their roles in inheritance, genomics aims at the collective characterization and quantification of all of an organism's genes, their interrelations and influence on the organism. Genes may direct the production of <a href="/facts/Proteins/Jxmagu3E">proteins</a> with the assistance of enzymes and messenger molecules. In turn, proteins make up body structures such as organs and tissues as well as control chemical reactions and carry signals between cells. Genomics also involves the sequencing and analysis of genomes through uses of high throughput <a href="/facts/DNA_sequencing/hsPsNCQW">DNA sequencing</a> and <a href="/facts/Bioinformatics/D5x2L8ee">bioinformatics</a> to assemble and analyze the function and structure of entire genomes. Advances in genomics have triggered a revolution in discovery-based research and <a href="/facts/Systems_biology/HTH1z1RA">systems biology</a> to facilitate understanding of even the most complex biological systems such as the brain.
The field also includes studies of intragenomic (within the genome) phenomena such as <a href="/facts/Epistasis/bJAJL90w">epistasis</a> (effect of one gene on another), <a href="/facts/Pleiotropy/c14XQQ7g">pleiotropy</a> (one gene affecting more than one trait), <a href="/facts/Heterosis/hyvtkDE8">heterosis</a> (hybrid vigour), and other interactions between <a href="/facts/Locus_(genetics)/JcIT8wLm">loci</a> and <a href="/facts/Allele/8FxCS9KA">alleles</a> within the genome.

Genomics open-in-new

Genomics