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
Researchers Illuminate the Epigenetic Basis of Microglial Plasticity
A collaborative research effort between the laboratories of Qingyun Li, PhD, assistant professor in the Departments of Genetics and Neuroscience, and Harrison Gabel, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine has uncovered fundamental mechanisms that govern how microglia—the brain’s resident immune cells—adapt their functional states across development, aging, and disease. The study, “State-specific enhancer landscapes govern microglial plasticity,” was recently published in Immunity.
Yang Li, PhD, awarded prestigious ALSF ‘A’ Award Grant for pediatric brain tumor research
The Department of Genetics is proud to announce that Yang Li, PhD, Assistant Professor of Genetics and Neurosurgery, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) ‘A’ Award Grant for his groundbreaking work in childhood cancer research. The award provides $800,000 in total funding over four years, supporting Dr. Li’s efforts to advance understanding of aggressive pediatric brain tumors.
Jeffrey Milbrandt, MD, PhD receives the Dean’s Medal for Innovation and Commercialization (Links to an external site)
Jeff Milbrandt, MD, PhD, the James S. McDonnell Professor of Genetics and executive director of the McDonnell Genome Institute, and Aaron DiAntonio, MD, PhD, the Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Professor of Developmental Biology, received the Dean’s Medal for Innovation and Commercialization for their high-caliber scientific research and commercialization achievements.