Pangenomics

Pangenomics is like a puzzle game where we study the complete set of genes of many different related species to understand their similarities and differences. Imagine you have a lot of LEGO blocks of different sizes, shapes, and colors. You can use these blocks to build many different things like cars, houses, and animals. Similarly, living things like plants, animals, and microorganisms have genes that make them who they are. Scientists study the genes of different living things, like LEGO blocks, to understand how they are related and how they work.

When scientists study the genes of related species, they can find out what they have in common and what makes them different. For example, humans and chimpanzees are very similar genetically because we share nearly 99% of our DNA. But we have some important differences, like the fact that humans can walk upright and have a larger brain. By studying the differences in our genes, scientists can understand how we evolved and what makes us human.

Pangenomics takes this idea to the next level by studying the complete set of genes of many different related species. By doing this, scientists can create a big puzzle of genes that shows how all these species are related to each other. This helps us understand how life on Earth has evolved over time and why some species are more successful than others in surviving and adapting to different environments. So, pangenomics can help us understand the big picture of life on our planet.