Genomics
Genomics is a subfield of genetics that deals comprehensively with the genome of individual organisms, especially determining the sequence of individual nucleotides in DNA and assigning functions to individual genes. A more detailed examination of individual genes already falls more into the field of molecular genetics, the view of genomics is more complex.
From the history of genomics[edit | edit source]
Genomics began to develop in the 1970s and 1980s, along with the development of other molecular methods (eg: sequencing, gene mapping).
A rough readout of the human genome - within the framework of the HUGO project - appeared as early as 2001, but was declared definitively completed only in 2007.
Functional genomics[edit | edit source]
The main focus of this branch of genomics is gene expression under different conditions. It often uses microarrays technology (the use of chips for testing a large amount of biological material during screening examinations) and the obtained results are analyzed by bioinformatics methods (specialized computer programs).
Utilization of genomics[edit | edit source]
In the future, newly acquired knowledge could lead to progress in the artificial synthesis of various biologically active substances – hormones, neurotransmitters, antibodies or enzymes. In clinical medicine, new discoveries in genomics can help primarily by improving the diagnosis of genetically determined diseases.
