The full potential of genome sequence data will only be realized if the genomic structure, gene content, and gene functions of individual species can be understood in relation to their evolutionary history and to that of other species. Only through comparison of genomes in the context of a phylogeny can researchers infer ancestral character states and begin to understand the mechanisms and pathways by which genes, genomes, and gene products have changed over time to produce the diversity of form and function that now characterize life on earth. The study of variation, or polymorphism, within individual species is also central to understanding the genesis of organismal diversity in form and function. Although the diversity of phenotypes (morphologies, physiologies, etc.) within species is more limited than that seen in comparisons between species, studies of variation within species allow construction of detailed linkage maps using polymorphic molecular markers, and through crossing experiments between individuals with different phenotypes, identification of the genes responsible for observed phenotypic variation (e.g., complex disease susceptibility and drug toxicity and efficacy).

Evolutionary genomics as a focus emerged informally during Phase I of the CGI, and has become fully-developed during Phase II. Recruitment and programmatic development are ongoing in the areas of genome structure and organization, gene evolution and function, genotypic and phenotypic diversity, and molecular phylogenetics. The core of excellence developed will serve as a central research and educational resource across campus and across organisms. Bridges will be built with Cornell's Biocomplexity Initiative, in that understanding gene function and evolution requires an understanding of the organism/environment interface and the ecological context in which genomic diversity functions.

Four faculty have been recruited (1 in Arts & Sci, 3 in CALS): Andrew G. Clark, Human Population Genetics and Evolutionary Genomics (A&S; Dept. Mol. Biol. & Genetics) from Penn State, Professor), Stephen Kresovich, Plant Genomic Diversity (CALS; Dept. Plant Breeding; from USDA-ARS, Professor), Rasmus Nielsen, Statistical and Population Genomics (CALS; Dept. Biol. Stat. & Comp. Biol.; from Harvard, Asst. Prof.), and Carlos Bustamante (CALS; Dept. Biol. Stat. & Comp. Biol.; from Oxford, Asst. Prof.). Edward Buckler has also been recruited (to arrive 2003) as a USDA-ARS appointment in Plant Functional and Evolutionary Genomics (he will be housed in the Biotechnology Building near Kresovich, Aquadro and Clark). An offer is out to an additional candidate at the associate professor level. Searches are underway in Human Genetics & Epidemiology (Human Ecology), Plant Evolution and Development, Bioinformatics (university-wide postion). Additional searches are proposed in Statistical and Computational Genomics, Insect Genomics, Animal Development and Evolution, and Comparative Mammalian Genomics.

Programmatic development has included the establishment of the Institute for Genomic Diversity in the Biotechnology Building, support for the Evolutionary Genetics Core Facility in Corson Hall (both providing access to genomic technologies for evolutionary studies), and formation of the Program in Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Genetics (focusing on curriculum development). Training grant support for graduate students and postdocs is being sought, as are equipment grants for instrumentation for increasing throughput and lowering costs of sequencing and genotyping.