What is the difference between genome and gene

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But the similarities largely end there. You can also think about genetics in terms of inherited traits and genomics in terms of cancer-specific mutations. Genetics is the study of the genes people inherit at birth, passed on from their family through the generations.

Every cell in the human body has a complete strand of DNA, and each strand is packed with genes, which carry instructions for certain traits, such as blue eyes, red hair—or, perhaps, a stronger likelihood of certain cancers.

Genomics generally refers to the study of mutations in genes that may drive various cancer behaviors, from how aggressive it is to whether it spreads to distant locations in the body. Each cell in the human body contains tens of thousands of genes, but mutations in just a single gene may cause cells to grow out of control and lead to tumor growth.

Often, the cells in a tumor change over time because their genes continue to mutate. So a genomic test may vary widely over time, even when conducted on the same tumor. Those who test positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, for example, have a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

To strengthen them and keep them safe DNA is looped and coiled into a structure called a chromosome. If a gene is a specific paragraph that contains details on how to make one single building block of you, then a chromosome is a chapter in this instruction book. There are 46 chapters in the instruction manual of you, or 46 chromosomes in total: 23 from your mum and 23 from your dad. Chromosomes are formed before cells divide.

Research suggests that errors in chromosome copying could be one of the first few changes in a cell that gives it the potential to turn cancerous. The human genome was first sequenced in Scientists are now working on this. Unfortunately, understanding what each of our 23, genes does, and how they interact with each other, will take some time. And if we know why cells go wrong and how they turn into cancer cells, it could give us clues on how to beat them.

We cover the latest cancer research, including that funded by the charity. We also highlight other relevant material, debunk myths and media scares, and provide links to other helpful resources.