Genetics/Genomics
The current rapid acquisition and publication of the DNA sequence of many
genomes opens new vistas and challenges for the scientists of the 21st century.
Future research will concentrate on defining the functional role of newly
discovered genes in various physiological processes, as well as on understanding
the interaction of genes and their products in complex pathways. Genomics will
therefore need to interdigitate genome map and sequence
acquisition/interpretation with in-depth genetic analysis of simple and
complex phenotypes. The GST curriculum gives students a strong background
in genetics and genomics as well as the integrated tools to meet these challenges.
Participants in the program have direct access to the long-standing
mouse-genetics program of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, particularly
the large-scale mutagenesis project, which recovers, analyzes, and exploits
new gene mutations for functional genomics.