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What is a Genome?



A genome is a term to refer to the collection of DNA that is usually oriented in a circular fashion or plasmid for bacteria or arranged to form chromosomes in most eukaryotic organisms. This long sequence of DNA's nucleotide bases (A's C's T's and G's) are broken up into what's referred to as genes, or a segment of the genome that encodes protein. The Central Dogma of Biology is the process of these genes undergoing transcription to form RNA, which is then translated to form proteins. While essential for life, the synthesis of proteins can be incorrectly performed through mutations in the Genome or while making the RNA transcript that carries the code for the protein being synthesized. Thus, the need to study genomics becomes prevalent because many conditions rely on the ability to compare a genome of one individual to another to identify mutations and develop treatments for those mutations.


Diagram from the Kane Lab's Genomic Course PowerPoints located HERE

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