To do so, it must position itself now to be a leader in genomics research, and especially in the ability to relate information from large scale genomic sequencing to biological function. This will require the formation of consortia of interacting faculty that cut across departmental and college boundaries. It will also require the recruitment of new faculty to bring in expertise that we currently lack or need to strengthen. When a field as vast and important as biological sciences undergoes a major paradigm shift, it creates both opportunities and risks for public institutions like Cornell. Twenty years ago most biological research took place in public institutions.
Biology is now big business.
Whereas pharmaceutical products, engineering processes and agricultural improvements were previously derived through arduous empirical methods, we are now entering an era where medical, engineering and agricultural advances will be specifically designed on the basis of information from genomic sciences. Whole new industries, and ones that are more environmentally friendly, are likely to be created by the genomics revolution. Not only have the potential benefits from biological research changed, but also how biological research will be conducted in the future. It will no longer be adequate for individual scientists to work in isolation. Likewise, the way in which we prepare students to fill positions in these new biological industries must change.