The discipline of genetics lies at the centre of the Biological Sciences. Geneticists study the nature and inheritance of genetic variation in organisms. There are many areas of specialisation within genetics, including behavioural genetics, biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, developmental biology, evolution, immunogenetics, medical genetics, molecular genetics and population genetics. Since many basic biological processes are similar in species as widely different as microbes and mammals, studying the more simple often informs studies of the more complex. Thus geneticists use fungi, plants, insects, worms and fish to better understand aspects of biology of direct relevance to medicine, biotechnology, agriculture and industry.
Geneticists work in many different areas of science.
In basic research they work to understand all areas of biology. In agriculture, genetics is the basis for breeding new, disease-resistant varieties of plants and livestock. In the biotechnology industry, genetics underpins the evelopment of new food products and industrial processes. In forensic science, genetic tests have become an important component of criminal investigations. In medicine, geneticists may conduct research into the molecular basis of genetic diseases.