Final answer:
The first complete genome to be sequenced was that of bacteriophage φX174, a milestone achieved by Fred Sanger. Sequencing efforts then expanded to model organisms, leading up to the sequencing of the human genome, contributing extensively to genetic research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the sequencing of genomes and which was the first complete genome to be sequenced. The first complete genome to be sequenced was that of a bacteriophage called φX174. This significant scientific milestone was achieved by Fred Sanger and his team using shotgun sequencing. Subsequent genome sequencing efforts focused on a variety of organisms, including important model organisms such as E. coli, C. elegans, S. cerevisiae, and ultimately humans, with the human genome's first draft published in 2001. Genomic sequencing allows for a deeper understanding of the genetics of model organisms, and by extension, other genetically similar organisms. The accumulation of genomic data over the years has been pivotal for advancing research across multiple fields, particularly genetics and molecular biology.