From deciphering underlying genetic factors of diseases to developing cutting-edge genome technology, our scientists are making impactful discoveries everyday.
Strength in Genetics and Genomics Research
The Department of Genetics has traditional strengths in computational biology and genome science, as well as model organism, evolutionary and human genetics. Recent specialties include neurological disorders, cellular bioenergetics, epigenomics, personalized medicine and genome technology development.
We have established leadership in the following flagship NIH genomic medicine themed projects:
- The Human Pangenome Project (NHGRI)
- The Impact of Genetic Variation on Function (NHGRI)
- The Long Life Family Study (NIA)
- Somatic Mosaicism across Human Tissues (NIH Common Fund)
- Multi-Omics for Health and Disease (NHGRI, NCI, NIEHS)
- The BRAIN (The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative Cell Atlas Network (NIMH)
Within the close-knit research community of Washington University School of Medicine, our scientists are supported by a strong foundation. School of Medicine Facts & Figures
| #2 NIH Funding (2024) | $683 Million Research Funding 2024 | 19 Nobel Laureates |
Latest News
Yang (Eric) Li, PhD, receives first R35 to interpret human genetic variants via AI/ML and comparative genomics
Yang (Eric) Li, PhD, an assistant professor of genetics and neurosurgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received a five-year Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA, R35) from the National Institutes of Health, to develop computational approaches for understanding how gene regulation differs between humans and animal models and how those differences may affect the study of human disease.
“Tristan” Qingyun Li, PhD receives $3 million R01 to investigate how microglia change during Alzheimer’s disease
The new research will focus on understanding how disease-associated microglia change over time and how these changes may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease progression, potentially revealing new opportunities for therapeutic designs.
The 3rd Gary D. Stormo Computational & Systems Biology Lecture and 2026 Stormo Fellow
The Department of Genetics recently hosted the 3rd Gary D. Stormo Computational & Systems Biology Lecture, honoring Dr. Gary Stormo’s pioneering contributions to computational biology. This year’s lecture featured Polly Fordyce, PhD, professor of Genetics and Bioengineering at Stanford University, who presented a talk titled “Understanding gene regulation using high-throughput biophysics.” The department also announced Qichen Fu as the recipient of the 2026 Stormo Fellowship in Computational and Systems Biology. Fu is a graduate student in the laboratory of Dr. Ting Wang.
