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
Congratulations to Dr. Rob Mitra for winning the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Links to an external site)
On April 24, 2025, the Office of Technology Management hosted the eighth annual Celebration of Inventors, an event to honor and recognize Washington University inventors, researchers and faculty entrepreneurs. Dr. Rob Mitra received the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship!
Study examines overlap in causes of cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders (Links to an external site)
A new research, led by Genetics Assistant Professor, Tychele Turner, used the Google DeepMind tool AlphaFold and their own newly developed computational tools to model the disease-causing changes to proteins in almost 40,000 families with neurodevelopmental disorders and in more than 10,000 sequenced tumors representing five cancer types. This research was recently published in the journal Cell Genomics.
WashU Medicine Department of Genetics Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation in Genomics
The Department of Genetics at Washington University School of Medicine marked a significant milestone on April 24th, 2025 with its 50th Anniversary Symposium, held at the Eric P. Newman Education Center and Moore Auditorium. The event brought together past and present faculty, students, and postdoctoral researchers to celebrate the department’s rich history and its ongoing contributions to the field of genetics and genomics.