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Because GWAS looks for associations between genes and disease, these studies provide data for other research into causes, rather than answering specific questions themselves. An association between a gene difference and a disease does not necessarily mean there is a cause-and-effect relationship. However, some studies have provided useful information about the genetic causes of diseases. For example, three different studies in 2005 identified a gene for a protein involved in regulating inflammation in the body that is associated with a disease-causing blindness called age-related macular degeneration. This opened up new possibilities for research into the cause of this disease. A large number of genes have been identified to be associated with Crohn’s disease using GWAS, and some of these have suggested new hypothetical mechanisms for the cause of the disease.

Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics involves evaluating the effectiveness and safety of drugs on the basis of information from an individual's genomic sequence. Personal genome sequence information can be used to prescribe medications that will be most effective and least toxic on the basis of the individual patient’s genotype. Studying changes in gene expression could provide information about the gene transcription profile in the presence of the drug, which can be used as an early indicator of the potential for toxic effects. For example, genes involved in cellular growth and controlled cell death, when disturbed, could lead to the growth of cancerous cells. Genome-wide studies can also help to find new genes involved in drug toxicity. The gene signatures may not be completely accurate, but can be tested further before pathologic symptoms arise.

Metagenomics

Traditionally, microbiology has been taught with the view that microorganisms are best studied under pure culture conditions, which involves isolating a single type of cell and culturing it in the laboratory. Because microorganisms can go through several generations in a matter of hours, their gene expression profiles adapt to the new laboratory environment very quickly. On the other hand, many species resist being cultured in isolation. Most microorganisms do not live as isolated entities, but in microbial communities known as biofilms. For all of these reasons, pure culture is not always the best way to study microorganisms. Metagenomics is the study of the collective genomes of multiple species that grow and interact in an environmental niche. Metagenomics can be used to identify new species more rapidly and to analyze the effect of pollutants on the environment ( [link] ). Metagenomics techniques can now also be applied to communities of higher eukaryotes, such as fish.

The diagram shows 3 individual rings representing DNA, with a small portion of each in a contrasting color. The small portions represent DNA from a different species.  The 3 rings have the caption “All of the genomic DNA from a particular environment is cut into fragments and ligated into a cloning vector. The fragments are sequenced, and regions of overlap are used to determine the genomic sequences.” Below the rings are many pieces of the contrasting color portions only, with an arrow pointing to solid longer lines of the 3 colors.
Metagenomics involves isolating DNA from multiple species within an environmental niche. The DNA is cut up and sequenced, allowing entire genome sequences of multiple species to be reconstructed from the sequences of overlapping pieces.

Creation of new biofuels

Knowledge of the genomics of microorganisms is being used to find better ways to harness biofuels from algae and cyanobacteria. The primary sources of fuel today are coal, oil, wood, and other plant products such as ethanol. Although plants are renewable resources, there is still a need to find more alternative renewable sources of energy to meet our population’s energy demands. The microbial world is one of the largest resources for genes that encode new enzymes and produce new organic compounds, and it remains largely untapped. This vast genetic resource holds the potential to provide new sources of biofuels ( [link] ).

Questions & Answers

what Is taxonom
Don Reply
Taxonom is the the laws and principles guiding the classification of living things either plant 🌿 or animal
Samuel
protein synthesis began with what?
Kesselly Reply
What structures does a plant cell have that an animal cell does not hav
Martin Reply
A plant cell has a cell wall, a large central vacuole, and chloroplasts, which an animal cell does not have.
AI-Robot
what is the function of the cytoskeleton?
Martin
truly. Al-robot
Mark
why is it advantageous for the cell membrane to be fluid in nature?
Martin Reply
The fluid nature of the cell membrane allows for flexibility and dynamic changes in its structure. This allows for the movement of molecules and ions in and out of the cell, as well as the ability to respond to external stimuli. The fluidity of the membrane also allows for the formation of specialized structures such as receptor proteins, which are important for cell-cell communication.
AI-Robot
What is used as a visual marker for successful gene transfer into transgenic animals?
rhonda Reply
Parts of the body involved in homeostasis
Favour Reply
liver
Kirk
A collection of similar-typed cells working together to perform a specific function is called what?
Rachel Reply
tissue
Van
which structure consists of a phospholipid bilayers and it is known as the mosaic model?
Jamar Reply
cell membrane
Abanoub
what is diffusion
Patricia Reply
a passive process of transport
Jamar
Random movement of gas molecule from region of high concentration to a low concentration.
praise
10 difference between male and female reproductive system
Ina Reply
if a phase is omitted ,what will happen to the cell
Ewemoje Reply
discribe advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction
basi Reply
Compared to separate sexes and assuming self-fertilizing is not possible, what might be one advantage and one disadvantage to hermaphroditism?
Gift Reply
is nature of their environment among
basi
cool 😎
Precious
why are the laws of thermodynamics considered laws of nature and not scientific theories
Yolonda Reply
archea were given their own separate domain because they are?
Yolonda
which of the following is a basic component of all of the others?
Yolonda
which of the following organization levels is the least inclusive
Yolonda
which cell feature is absent in bacterial cells
Yolonda
which metric movies the base unit of measurement by one thousandth (0.001)?
Yolonda
What is biology?
Blessing Reply
List the branches of biology
Blessing
List the branches of biology
Blessing
List the branches of biology
Blessing
List the branches of biology
Blessing
Ecology,Anatomy,genetics,biophysics,biochemistry,microbiology and biotechnology.
praise

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Source:  OpenStax, Concepts of biology. OpenStax CNX. Feb 29, 2016 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11487/1.9
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