Principles of Genomics

Genes, since then, has been an interest to scientists. They found out that genes are responsible
for the appearance of a particular biological characteristic. Until 1940, the genes were discovered to be
made up of DNA (deoxyribonucleic Acid) and the definition of genes became a length of DNA that encodes
a particular protein. After discovering DNA as the main component of genes, the scientists wanted to find
out the structure, behaviour, and activity of genes. And so, the manipulation and creation of recombinant
DNA started.

Recombinant DNA is any artificially created DNA molecule which brings together DNA sequences
that are not usually found together in nature while gene manipulation is the formation of new combinations
by the insertion of nucleic acid molecules to any vector system in which propagation are able. This
propagation inside a particular host is called Cloning. E. coli played a dominant role in recombination of
DNA. This bacterium became the primary cloning host through the years and still remains the most widely
used cloning host today. Other microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas spp., yeasts, and
filamentous fungi were also used as a host cell in cloning. The researchers first manipulate the DNA of their
chosen organism in E. collie before they transfer it back to the original host.

The recombinant DNA revolution produced new technologies for Gene sequencing (identified by A,
C, G, and T.) These orders identify the protein by specifying the amino acids. DNA sequencing found a way
for the amino acid sequencing to work out without direct analysis of the protein itself. Today, DNA
molecules can be scanned quickly because of bioinformatics.

The goal of DNA sequencing is to determine the order of nucleotides but it changed and became
the sequence of a small genome. A genome is the complete genetic information of an organism. The study
of genome started from bacteria called X174.

Genomics involves the study of all genes at the DNA, mRNA, proteome level, and cell and tissue
level. Fred Sanger was the first to develop the concept of Genomics and he is also the first person to
sequence the complete genome of a virus and of a mitochondrion.

Instrumentation

Affymetrix GeneChip Instrument System (MicroArray Platform)

Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100
 Applied Biosystems 7900 Fast Real Time PCR System / Applied Biosystems ViiA 7 Real Time
System (Real Time qPCR / PCR Thermal Cycler)
Beckman Coulter Optima Max Ultracentrifuge (Centrifuge Ultra)
Becton Dickinson (BD) Biosciences FACSCalibur Flow Cytometer (Flow Cytometry / Fluorescence
Activated Cell Sorter (FACS))
LiCor Odyssey Clx Infrared Imaging System
Life Technologies Automated Countess Cell Counter
AXON Molecular Devices GenePix4000B Scanner
Thermo Scientific NanoDrop 1000

Applications
Genomics has been proven to be improving when it comes to fighting diseases such as, sickle cell
anemia, Huntingtons disease, and cystic fibrosis which are caused by the abnormalities in the DNA
sequencing that code for specific proteins. Genomics can help in the diagnosis and treatment of these
diseases by increasing the number of drug targets used in pharmaceuticals. It can also give information
about the genetic basis for side effects and effectiveness of treatments that can be used to the
prescriptions given to the individual. There are two types of gene therapies that have been advanced; The
Somatic cell therapy which pertains to the insertion of therapeutic cells to the specific cells in the body and
the Germ line therapy which involves the insertion of normal genes into an egg cell. The somatic cell
therapy allows the cells to synthesize proteins that are not produced and the Germ line therapy allows the
normal gene to be incorporated into the genome of the offspring so the genetic disease will not be
inherited.

Genomes of at least 40 species of microorganism have been sequenced and the genomes of
these species have the potential to improve crop yields, decrease damage of pests, and increase nutritional
value of food. Understanding the products of genes involved can be useful and can be a potential help in
solving environmental problems.

Recent Updates

The National Institutes of Health said that they will fund a set of genome sequencing and analysis
center which will focus on understanding the genomic bases of common and rare human diseases. And
last January 2016, The National Human Genome Research Institute, part of NIH, launched the Centers of
Common Disease Genomics which will use the genome sequencing to explore the genomic contributions to
common diseases. The NIH also funds new studies on ethical, legal, and social impact of genomic
information last May 2016. They will give funds to researchers to examine the use of genomic information
in preventing and treating infectious diseases.

References:

http://www.khuisf.ac.ir/prof/images/Uploaded_files/ebooksclub.org__Principles_of_Gene_Manipulation_and
_Genomics_Seventh_Edition[4993062].PDF

http://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Genomics.aspx

http://www.faqs.org/espionage/Fo-Gs/Genomics.html

https://www.genome.gov/27565088/2016-news-release-nih-funds-new-studies-on-ethical-legal-and-social-
impact-of-genomic-information/

https://www.genome.gov/10000475/current-news-releases/