Functional Genomics is a research field aimed at understanding the functional significance of all DNA sequences in the genomes of all organisms. There are now hundreds of organisms for which we know the entire genome sequence, including representatives from most animal and plant groups and the number is increasing daily. This is an impressive first step toward and understanding of biodiversity. However, the sequence of a genome provides only the plans for constructing an organism. And despite the numerous advances that have been made in reading these plans, the explosion of new information has revealed literally thousands of DNA sequences for which we have no putative functional information. The goal of functional genomics is to fill this void.

The basic tool of functional genomics is the microarray, or "chip". The chip consists of several thousand different DNA sequences, each representing a different gene or intergenic sequence, deposited individually as an array on a small surface the size of a microscope slide. These chips are used to analyze the patterns of transcription, translation, post translational modification, protein-DNA interactions and protein-protein interactions. Chips are also being developed to study protein-carbohydrate and protein-lipid interactions.

The Roy J. Carver Center for Comparative Genomics has developed a microarray facility to complement the comparative genomics research. The focus of the CCG is to discover the interrelationships among organisms through comparative analysis of the sequence and organization of DNA. A microarray facility is a logical addition to the CCG extending our ability to interpret the functional significance of DNA sequences and thus understand biodiversity at a deeper level.