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By W. Randy Woodson
Scientists recently deciphered the entire sequence of chemicals that make up each of the 100,000 or so genes in the human genetic code, or genome. The science of sequencing genes and understanding their functions is called genomics, and it will change our lives as much in the next 20 years as the computer technology explosion did in the previous 20.
The genetic code is responsible for the way we look, think, and act and for many of the diseases that affect us. As we learn more about the genomes of organisms, we have the potential to change the way every farmer raises crops and livestock, the way every physician treats disease, and the way each of us interacts with the environment.
Agricultural genomics at Purdue
Purdue University is well positioned to capitalize on the genomics revolution. We have strong programs in analytical chemistry, computational sciences, and animal and plant sciences. This combination provides the scientific tools that are necessary for success in genomics-both in research and application.
Analytical chemists and researchers in animal and plant genetics will generate massive amounts of data as they explore the genomes of crops and animals. Computational scientists will help analyze the data using powerful computers and other tools that have grown out of information technology.
Already, scientists at Purdue are hard at work locating the genes in plants that improve resistance to drought, disease and insect pests. Animal scientists here are seeking the genetic basis for animal productivity and reproduction so that they can improve meat quality and make production more efficient.
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