Emerging Technologies
Genomics
Definition
Genomics is an interdisciplinary field of biology focusing 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.
Why It Matters
Genomics is at the heart of personalized medicine. By understanding an individual's unique genetic makeup, doctors can tailor treatments and predict disease risk more accurately.
Contextual Example
A patient might have their genome sequenced to determine which cancer treatment would be most effective for their specific type of tumor, or to find out if they are a carrier for a genetic disease.
Common Misunderstandings
- Genomics is different from genetics. Genetics studies the function and composition of single genes, while genomics studies the entire set of genes and their interactions.
- The cost of genome sequencing has fallen dramatically, making it much more accessible for research and clinical use.