Department Overview

Genomics, an interdisciplinary field of biology, focuses on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes. A genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes. In contrast to genetics, 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 their influence on the organism. Genes direct the production of proteins with the assistance of enzymes and messenger molecules. In turn, proteins build body structures such as organs, tissues, and proteins which control chemical reactions and carry signals between cells. Genomics also involves the sequencing and analysis of genomes through the use of high-throughput DNA sequencing and bioinformatics to assemble and analyze the function and structure of entire genomes. Advances in genomics have triggered a revolution in discovery-based research and systems biology to facilitate the understanding of even the most complex biological systems. The field also studies intragenomic phenomena, (segments contained within a DNA sequence) and other interactions between loci and alleles within a single genome.

To learn more about the growing need to build a Diverse Genomics Workforce, watch this video from the National Human Genome Research Institute.