"The rationale for comparative genomics, thus that of my laboratory, is that all organisms have a common ancestor and therefore share many components of their genomes. Using this rational, therefore, you can obtain a lot of genomic information by just looking at or studying information-rich species such as Homo sapiens, Mus muculus, and Rattus norvegicus. Further, you can use information from model organisms to understand the biological basis of some important biomedical conditions and phenomena in humans.

Our activities involve both aspects of comparative genomics: building genomic information on little-understood avian species using information from more widely studied organisms; Using information on model species to understand a biological phenomenom in humans."

- Ed Smith

Contact Info:
Comparative Genomics Lab
2250 Litton Reaves Hall
Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Ed Smith , 540-231-6797;