Difference between Genomics and Metagenomics

Genomics vs Metagenomics Similarities and differences

Both fields involve DNA sequencing but differ in scale and dimension, genomics focuses on individual organisms, while metagenomics explores whole communities present in an environmental science.

Genomics	Metagenomics
Study of an individual organism’s genome.	Study of the complete set of genomes in a sample (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa etc.)
Focus is on single organism’s genetic makeup.	Collection of genomes from multiple individuals within an environment or clinical sample.
Sequencing a specific species’ genome.	Analyzing genomes directly from a mixed sample without culturing.
Methodology involves Genomic DNA Isolation, Separation of DNA, Cutting and Joining of DNA: Cloning in Vectors: Detection of Gene of Interest: making of Recombinant DNA, DNA amplification (by PCR) and DNA sequencing	Broad sampling by direct sequencing without relying on cultured cells. Sample collection and DNA extraction, DNA sequencing, assembly, binning*, gene prediction and annotation
Applications: Gene discovery and diagnosis. Identification of genetic diseases, Pharmacogenetics and targeted therapy, Prenatal diagnosis, and testing. Pharmacogenetics and targeted therapy. Infectious disease research.	Studying “unculturable” microbes. Understanding microbial diversity or taxonomic profile Identifying previously unknown species. Environmental monitoring. Disease ecology.
Example: Human Genome Project (Sequencing the human genome) Chimpanzee genome project E.coli genome project Arabidopsis genome project	Analyzing microbial communities in soil, sea, fresh water, pond etc. (Environmental samples) or skin, gut microbiome (clinical samples)

*Binning*: Group sequences based on similarity to identify different microbial species or functional groups.