Genomics is a discipline in genetics that applies recombinant
DNA, DNA sequencing methods, and bioinformatics to sequence, assemble, and
analyze the function and structure of genomes. The field includes efforts to
determine the entire DNA sequence of organisms and fine-scale genetic mapping.
The field also includes studies of intragenomic phenomena such as heterosis,
epistasis, pleiotropy and other interactions between loci and alleles within
the genome. In contrast, the investigation of the roles and functions of single
genes is a primary focus of molecular biology or genetics and is a common topic
of modern medical and biological research. Research of single genes does not
fall into the definition of genomics unless the aim of this genetic, pathway,
and functional information analysis is to elucidate its effect on, place in,
and response to the entire genome's networks.
