Introduction

Humankind has continued to advance its knowledge of planet Earth and of itself since Homo sapiens evolved in Africa around 200,000 years ago. Since the discovery of the structure of DNA 70 years ago, knowledge has advanced rapidly. Knowledge from the sequencing of genomes of humans and numerous other species continues to surprise us with the intricacies of how DNA is ultimately responsible for cellular function, inheritance, the diversity of life, and the development and function of every species. Though the DNA knowledge base is extensive, it is compartmentalized into many disciplines. This book seeks to provide a more integrated view of different aspects of DNA biology and biotechnology. The fascinating thing is that through our DNA we can increasingly understand ourselves and how our DNA world functions to allow us to live on this planet. Through the knowledge of DNA, it is possible to work with it to improve human health, sustainable food production, a sustainable environment, and develop novel industries.