Genomics and Genome Sequencing: Benefits for Finfish Aquaculture

The central dogma of molecular biology states that DNA is transcribed to RNA, which is translated into proteins (Crick, 1970), the molecules that facilitate all biological functions. A genome comprises all of an organism’s DNA, or hereditary information. The field of genomics is the study of whole genomes. Genomics has been defined as “a branch of biotechnology concerned with applying the techniques of genetics and molecular biology to the genetic mapping and DNA sequencing of sets of genes or the complete genomes of selected organisms” (Mirriam-Webster Dictionary). Specifically, whereas genetics is the study of a single gene, or a few genes in isolation, genomics examines all of the genes, as well as the non-coding elements (i.e., regions that do not encode proteins or RNA components of the cell), within the DNA of a genome. Although the term genomics was first used in 1987, the field is relatively new and is growing rapidly as new technologies for exploring genomes emerge. The applications of genomics are vast, spanning realms such as medicine, industry and ecology, with implications for global issues including cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment, alternative energy sources, agriculture, conservation and sustainable development. Furthermore, given that the fundamental basis of genomics DNAis common across all living organisms, genomics stands to bridge the gaps between these fields of study, with synergistic results as multi-disciplinary approaches to answering biological questions are developed.