Which field involves analyzing large sets of genes or comparing genomes of different species?

The field that involves analyzing large sets of genes or comparing genomes of different species is genomics. Genomics focuses specifically on the structure, function, evolution, and mapping of genomes, which include all the genetic material in an organism. This discipline utilizes various technologies and methodologies to sequence, assemble, and analyze the function of genomes in a comprehensive manner.

Genomics is essential for understanding the genetic basis of traits, evolutionary relationships, and the interactions between different genes. It often involves the comparison of genomic sequences across different species to identify similarities and differences that can provide insights into evolutionary processes and genetic variation. This analysis is crucial for fields such as medicine, agriculture, and conservation biology, where understanding genetic information can lead to advancements in healthcare, crop improvement, and biodiversity preservation.

In contrast, bioinformatics primarily focuses on the computational tools and techniques used to manage and analyze biological data, including genomic data, but it is not limited to genomics. Proteomics, on the other hand, studies the entire set of proteins produced by an organism, while ecology deals with the relationships between organisms and their environment, rather than genetic sequences.