Genomics

The genome (a term introduced by H. Winkler in 1920) is the total genetic constitution of an organism -- a complete copy of its genetic information (DNA), or equivalently one full haploid set of its chromosomes. Genomics (a term coined by T.H. Roderick in 1986) is the branch of biology that studies genomes as a whole, through mapping, sequencing and functional analysis of genes.

Sequencing projects on organisms such as yeast, Drosophila and the mouse were undertaken partly to allow comparative study against the human genome, and several other genomes -- microbes, the honeybee, tomato and other crop species among them -- have since been sequenced or targeted for sequencing. Genomics study may be classified into two types:

a. Structural genomics: involves the mapping, sequencing and analysis of the genome.

b. Functional genomics: deals with the study of the functions of all gene sequences and their expression in organisms.

Application of genomics: Structural and functional genomics are used for different purposes in the improvement of crop plants, human health and livestock, and the knowledge gained can be applied in many sectors including medicine, biotechnology and the social sciences. Genomics helps in the treatment of genetic disorders through gene therapy, and: …