Genomics and Bioinformatics

This lesson covers genomics — the study of entire genomes — and bioinformatics — the use of computational tools to analyse biological data. These are increasingly important topics in the Edexcel A-Level Biology specification (9BI0, Topic 7).

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What Is Genomics?

Genomics is the branch of molecular biology that focuses on the structure, function, evolution and mapping of entire genomes. Unlike classical genetics, which studies individual genes, genomics takes a holistic approach — examining all genes and their interactions.

Types of Genomics

Type	Focus
Structural genomics	Determining the complete DNA sequence and physical organisation of genomes
Functional genomics	Understanding what genes do — identifying gene functions, expression patterns and interactions
Comparative genomics	Comparing genomes of different species to understand evolution and identify conserved sequences
Pharmacogenomics	Studying how genetic variation affects drug response — towards personalised medicine
Metagenomics	Analysing DNA from environmental samples containing mixed communities of organisms

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DNA Sequencing

Sanger Sequencing (Chain Termination Method)

Developed by Frederick Sanger in 1977, this was the method used in the Human Genome Project.

Principle