Anatomic genomics: Systems of genes supporting the biology of systems

This essay lays the groundwork for the concept that 'anatomy' in the new millennium will be a subject that is increasingly based on understanding the parallel relationships between systems of genes on chromosomes and the structures defined by these genes. The concept of Anatomic Genomics is introduced in terms of systems of genes on chromosomes, which actually mirror the biology of anatomically defined systems. A case is made for the possibility that genomes may be structured in ways that make local but not necessarily global sense. In the new millennium, systems biologists have the opportunity to be the creators and purveyors of this new anatomy. Anat Rec 259:fmiii-ix, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.