Overview

Recent years have witnessed a revolution in the biological sciences. Exciting and efficient new approaches have become available for the analysis of entire genomes (the complete genetic program of an organism) and proteomes (the entire set of proteins encoded by an organism). The full DNA sequence has been determined for a number of organisms including humans. Much biological research is currently being devoted to determining the functioning of the genes and the proteins of different organisms, how the genes and proteins are regulated, and how the different genes and proteins work together to mediate complex biological processes. Such information is expected to help elucidate the processes that are critical for the development of organisms as well as the genetic basis of disease. It is also expected that this information will be useful for developing genetic strategies to manipulate plant and animal genomes for a variety of agricultural and medical applications.

Yale has established a world-class center for the study of Genomics and Proteomics. The Center is a focal point for faculty interested in these studies and contains facilities to support research and teaching in these areas. It covers activities and technologies in the areas of genomics, proteomics, ribonomics and bioinformatics, including the areas of chemical genomics, comparative genomics, structural genomics, technology development and bioengineering. Model organisms include microbes, plants and humans.