Welcome to Gen Omics

Whether you consider yourself to be Gen X, Gen Y, or one of the Boomer Generation we have one thing in common. We're all part of Gen Omics.

To help you understand how genetics has become the biology of the 21st century we have created a Facebook News application all about genomics. Once you have joined the GenOmics community you can post stories, write a blog, send virtual genes to your friends, ask questions and earn points to win prizes in September. We have a new iPod shuffle and 2 iTunes cards but you have to use GenOmics to earn points. 
Not a Facebook user? You can still go to facebook.genomealberta.ca to read the stories and follow developments in genetics but we hope you'll decide to sign up to be part of the GenOmics community.

To go directly to the main Facebook application page, point your browser to apps.facebook.com/genomics

Gen Omics Quick Start Guide

Read Stories - Look for the Home tab or the News tab to see stories posted or written by community members and featured stories chosen by the GenOmics editors.

Post a Story - This is where you can add stories you have found elsewhere on the web. Just paste in the url and (depending on the source website) GenOmics will add the details, or you can cut and paste the basic information.

Send a Gene  - Want to send blue eyes to your friends? Maybe help them run a little faster with the gene for speed? Send 1 or all of the 24 genes we have available for you to share.

Answers - Understanding is all about seeking answers and with the Answers tab you can find that understanding or help other people looking for information.

Blog - Located under News ->  Post a Story -> Compose a blog entry is the place to write your own story. What is your experience with genetics? What are your hopes and fears as we learn more about the human genome ? If you're a researcher why not share your work with the Gen Omics Community

Raw Feeds -  Located under the News tab Raw Feeds may be the hidden gem of GenOmics. Read the information as it is fed from a variety of sources and choose stories you want to publish to the front page.

Genomics Resources - Located in the top line above GenOmics,this link helps you find resources around the 'net that are related to specific areas of genomics. It is also where you can find places to download actual human genomes posted by volunteers from around the world ! 

Points - You can earn points by being an active member on GenOmics and this September we'll be giving away 2 iPod Shuffle and some iTunes gift cards to the weekly point winners. Go to the application now and start earning points for posting genomic stories and inviting others to join in.

Where to next ?

Main GenOmics application page
Genome Alberta Blog pages
See what an actual genome scan looks like

What is a gene ?

A gene is the basic building block that controls which traits are passed on to you from your parents and which ones you may in turn pass on to your children.
Genes are what makes us all the same and all different. No matter where in the world you are, everyone reading this page is 99% identical when it comes to their basic genetic structure. Every thing that is different is what makes us unique.
Here are some pages that will help you define a gene. 

What is a genome ?

If the genes are the basic pieces of the puzzle that is you, then the genome is the complete puzzle that everyone sees. An important part of genomics is your environment because that is where you and your genome live and how your genome interacts with the environment makes a difference to the complete puzzle. 

Genomics is having an influence in our daily lives right now with new research opening up new doors:

  • Healthcare - disease prediction, prevention, and treatment
  • Environment - helps to better understand things such as climate change or how environmental factors affect our health
  • Agriculture - can lead to better crop yields to help feed the world

 

For more information or media inquiries about GenOmics on Facebook, email info@genomealberta.ca .