An historical perspective on genomic technologies

Abstract

Genomic technologies are best defined as technologies used to manipulate and analyze genomic information. The evolution of this collective power began in earnest with the invention of DNA cloning in the 1970's and most of the technology derives from the last quarter of the 20th century. The historical impact of these technologies is clearly immense. With the genome sequence becoming available for many organisms, including humans, another new view of biology has recently emerged. This review examines the shape and texture of this recent evolution, with a particular emphasis on new technology: DNA cloning, macromolecular structure analysis (X-ray crystallography and NMR), DNA sequencing, DNA synthesis, amplification by the polymerase chain reaction, and transgenic animals (bacteria through mammals).