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
Genetics faculty recognized for their 2023 patents (Links to an external site)
Every year the Office of Technology Management recognizes the previous year’s United States Patent and Trademark Office patent awardees. Genetics faculty Dr. Robi Mitra and Dr. Jeffrey Milbrandt were recognized for their 2023 patents and were awarded custom patent cubes.
Congratulations to Julie Choi (Milbrandt and Jin labs) for winning the Hope Center poster award! (Links to an external site)
Julie Choi, graduate student
in the labs of Jeffrey Milbrandt and Peter Jin won the poster award at this year’s Hope Center Retreat. Her poster is titled: “Single-Cell Sciatic Nerve Atlas Unveils Il-1β+ Macrophages and T Cells as Drivers of Neurodegeneration in a SARMopathy Mouse Model”
New study sheds light on how genetic variation in motile cilia affects cilia structure and function
Defects in motile cilia in humans cause the rare disease Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), affecting approximately 1 in every 10,000 to 30,000 people. People who have PCD are characterized by recurrent respiratory infections, left-right asymmetry defects, ear infections, and infertility. Even with genome and exome sequencing, 30% of the patients still don’t have a gene […]