We are in the midst of a new revolution in biology enabled by the fields of Genomics and Systems Biology, whose goals are to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the information encoded in the genetic material of organisms and how it directs the organization and function of living systems enabled by analysis through integrative experimental and computational modeling approaches.
Genomics and Systems Biology are rapidly emerging fields, in which sub-disciplines are only beginning to be defined. Genomic science is founded in the analysis of genomic sequences and their molecular products. Starting from the complete genomic sequences of one or more species, functional and evolutionary genomics studies use high-throughput experimental and integrative computational approaches -- such as large-scale RNA and protein expression profiling, forward and reverse genetics, and cross-species comparisons -- to define the functions of genes and the structures of genetic networks, and how these change during development, in disease, and between organisms. Systems Biology approaches integrate different types of genome-scale data to develop predictive models for gene networks that can be used to derive testable hypotheses about the emergent properties, functions, and dynamics of organismal systems.
Faculty apply all of these approaches to investigate the structure, function, and evolution of biological networks in a broad range of experimental systems spanning bacteria, invertebrates, vertebrates, mammals, and plants.
Faculty and Research in Genomics and Systems Biology is conducted at the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, which houses the research labs and core facilities. The Center also sponsors educational activities and events such as seminars and courses in Genomics and Systems Biology.