BioDIGS

What is genomics? 🧬?

Genomics broadly refers to the study of genomes, which are an organism’s complete set of DNA. This includes both genes and non-coding regions of DNA. Traditional genomics involves sequencing and analyzing the genome of individual species. Metagenomics expands genomics to look at the collective genomes of entire communities of organisms in an environmental sample, like soil.

What is data science? 📈?

Data science is an interdisciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data.

What is cloud computing? ☁️?

Cloud computing just means using the internet to get access to powerful computer resources like storage, servers, databases, networking tools, and specialized software programs. Instead of having to buy and maintain their own powerful computers, storage servers, and other systems, users can pay to use them through an internet connection as needed.

Why are heavy metals important for human health? 🩺?

Human activities that change the landscape can also change what sorts of inorganic and abiotic compounds we find in the soil, particularly increasing the amount of heavy metals ^7. When cars drive on roads, compounds from the exhaust, oil, and other fluids might settle onto the roads and be washed into the soil.

Who did the soil sampling?

Soil sampling for BioDIGS was done by both faculty and student volunteers from schools that aren’t traditional R1 research institutions. Information about the schools and programs involved are on the map near each sampling area. Many of the faculty are also members of the GDSCN.