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 (2023) | $838.3 Million Research Funding 2022 | 19 Nobel Laureates |
Latest News
The Inaugural Gary D. Stormo Computational & Systems Biology Lectureship Hosted at the Department of Genetics
The Inaugural Gary D. Stormo Computational & Systems Biology Lectureship was hosted at the Department of Genetics on October 3rd, 2024 with Dr. Michael Brent delivering a talk titled “Mapping and modeling transcriptional regulatory networks”. Dr. Michael Brent is the Henry Edwin Sever Professor of Engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering of Washington University […]
Faculty Spotlight – Dr. Sheng Chih (Peter) Jin
Dr. Sheng Chih (Peter) Jin, Assistant Professor of Genetics, recently received his first R01 grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH), a milestone for his lab. In this article, Dr. Jin shares the story of his lab, research and what he enjoys most as a faculty member at WashU.
Dr. Guoyan Zhao awarded R21 from the NIH to study neurodegenerative disease
Dr. Guoyan Zhao in the Department of Genetics and Dr. Erik Musiek in the Department of Neurology have been awarded R21 from the NIH’s National Institute on Aging.