Genomic science, the study of genetic material (DNA), provides the basic information necessary for understanding the characteristics of any living organism. Genome sequencing — determining the order of the four building blocks of DNA (A, G, C and T) — is the first step to elucidate the structure, function, and regulation of genes and the products they encode. Recent technical advances have lowered the cost of sequencing with far-reaching impacts across all biological sciences — from human medicine and agriculture to marine biology and ecology.
Researchers are now able to sequence the genome of any organism and thus pursue important questions that were previously unattainable. Genomics can provide new insight into fundamental biological processes and evolution, reveal hidden biodiversity and uncover mechanisms that enable a species adaption to different environments and resistance to disease.
Genomics applied to marine science has the power to unlock the secrets of the ocean’s vast biodiversity and offers new opportunities for the sustainable use of its resources.