Genetics is the study of genes made up of DNA, our genetic code found in every cell, which we inherit from our parents and which determines, under the influence of the environment, the diversity of biological traits we have, whether we are talking about metabolism, immune response, or visible traits such as pigmentation, height, or eye color. Human DNA consists of approximately 3 billion chemical units called nucleotides, which come in 4 types (abbreviated as A, T, C, or G).

The DNA in every human cell is organized into 23 pairs of chromosomes, each pair consisting of one chromosome inherited from the mother and one from the father. Each chromosome pair contains a specific set of genes that encode genetic information. Genomics, unlike genetics, studies the entirety of DNA and the interactions between genes. Humans share 99.9% of their DNA, while the remaining 0.1% accounts for the differences between individuals.

With the sequencing of the first human genome in 2003, geneticists also began to unravel the functional role of different genetic variants that occur in the genome. Today, we have an increasingly better understanding not only of the complex genetic architecture of different traits but also of the role these genetic variants play in predisposing to - and triggering - pathologies, as well as the different ways in which individuals respond to medical treatments.

Genomics will enable the complete decoding of the functional significance of a person's genome variability, leading to the development of new methods for prevention, diagnosis, and personalized treatment.