Trying to give a closer view of the promise of genomics -- Cornell-style

By Roger Segelken

There's no single, or simple, answer to the question, "why genomics?" With more than 150 people throughout Cornell's campus deeply involved in this widely diverse research, it is difficult to get an immediate appreciation of the promise of genomics.

The titles of focus areas within the Cornell Genomics Initiative (microbial genomics and computational and statistical genomics, for example) barely describe the true promise of this most interdisciplinary of endeavors. Yet from Cornell's abundance of scientific and intellectual resources there are certain to spring fundamental, basic-science discoveries by programs, and life-changing applications of those findings by others. Here are just a few:

• Instead of the one-size-fits-all, universal recommended dietary allowance, soon there could be personalized recommendations for long-term health maintenance on the basis of an individual's specific genome. "Through understanding the human genome, we can look at an individual's genetic makeup and say that for persons with these particular genes, they will need to have more of this vitamin and less of this mineral to function optimally," said Jere D. Haas, director of Cornell's Division of Nutritional Sciences and the N.S. Meinig Professor of Maternal and Childhood Nutrition.

• More light will be shed on ethical questions in science, such as: Do scientists have the right to own and profit from a genetic life form they have discovered, genetically modified, or created? And policy-makers can be helped to focus on everyday questions of shopping, such as: How much do consumers care about genetically modified ingredients in food? "Our goal in the ELSI (ethical, legal and social issues) community is to ensure not only that we develop a capacity at Cornell for intelligent discussion of complex issues, but also that those discussions take place within the broader scientific community," said Bruce Lewenstein, associate professor of science communication.

• A detailed explanation is needed to understand how some pathogenic microorganisms, such as the Chlamydiae trachomatis bacteria, get away with using their hosts' protein to help dwell, replicate and do harm from within body cells. "C. trachomatis is the most frequent cause of sexually transmitted disease in developed countries, as well as the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide," said Marci Scidmore, assistant professor of microbiology.

• Information scientists will greatly shorten the time-consuming process of genomic discovery using the power of computing. "In determining the canine genome, one sequence used to take a month," said Ron Elber, professor of computer science, of studies underway in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "Now it takes less than a day."

• A more precise and direct way for breeders to hybridize improved varieties of crop plants without the labor-intensive work of manual crossing will emerge from basic, laboratory work at Cornell. "We're finally beginning to learn -- at the molecular level -- which genes are involved in pollen rejection," said June Nasrallah, professor of plant biology. Noted Nasrallah, whose laboratory is making fundamental discoveries about the self-incompatibility of plants, "The ability to silence, mutate and transfer genes that control the self-incompatibility barrier could be a boon to breeders."