What is functional genomics?

Functional genomics is a field of molecular biology that attempts to make use of the vast wealth of data produced by genomic projects (such as genome sequencing projects) to describe gene (and protein) functions and interactions. It focuses on the dynamic aspects of gene expression, such as transcription, translation, and protein-protein interactions, rather than static aspects of the genomic information such as DNA sequence. A key characteristic of functional genomics studies is that they involve high-throughput or genome-wide approaches, often involving multiple genes simultaneously. Common techniques include transcriptomics (e.g., microarrays, RNA-Seq), proteomics, and metabolomics, often coupled with computational and bioinformatic analyses.