This study will focus on development of a computational framework for storing, sharing and analyzing three-dimensional micron resolution images in fluorescently-labeled brain samples, with a specific focus on brain structure deficits in an autism mouse model. Jason Stein, PhD, Assistant Professor of Genetics with a joint appointment in the UNC Neuroscience Center, has been awarded … Read more

The research in Dr. Tarantino’s laboratory is focused on identification and characterization of genes that influence behavior. In particular, they study mouse models of addiction, anxiety, stress and depression-like behaviors. Dr. Tarantino will have a primary appointment in Genetics, secondary appointment in Psychiatry and a joint appointment in the School of Pharmacy. After receiving her … Read more

The article reviews progress in the microRNA field over the past decade, and details findings in pre-clinical studies that have demonstrated that pharmacologic manipulation of microRNAs, mostly in the liver, can modulate metabolic phenotypes and even reverse the course of insulin resistance and diabetes. Praveen Sethupathy, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics, published … Read more

Karen Mohlke, Chuck Perou, Pat Sullivan and Jenny Ting have been named to the list of 2015 Highly Cited Researchers. Karen Mohlke, Chuck Perou, Pat Sullivan and Jenny Ting have been named to the list of 2015 Highly Cited Researchers. The 3000 researchers highlighted in 2015 represent the top one percent of cited authors in … Read more

Jonathan Berg, MD, PhD, a UNC Lineberger member and an assistant professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of Genetics, was corresponding author of a study that investigated the frequency of pathogenic germline variants in hereditary cancer susceptibility genes in cancer patients undergoing tumor-germline sequencing. ~From the UNC LIneberger Newsroom Full Article

The study will focus on genetic mechanisms underlying blood cell traits in multi-ethnic cohorts, in particular admixed, under-represented U.S. minority populations such as African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos. Yun Li, PhD, Associate Professor of Genetics, Biostatistics and Computer Science (adjunct) has been awarded an R01 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for her project … Read more

Fernando Pardo-Manuel de Villena, PhD, will take over July 1 from Terry Magnuson, PhD, who will become the vice chancellor for research at UNC-Chapel Hill. Fernando Pardo-Manuel de Villena, professor of genetics and associate chair for research, will become interim chair of the Department of Genetics effective July 1. He will oversee the department’s research … Read more

Only three Accelerator awards are given each year. They are designed to “support exceptional, independent early-career researchers who have distinguished themselves as promising investigators and are in the beginning stages of establishing successful, sustainable diabetes research programs.” The ADA gives a total of six Pathway awards annually to investigators at different career stages. The award … Read more

Oliver Smithies Investigator Award recipients are selected based on their sustained excellence in their chosen disciplines, their international reputation as a leader in their fields and the impact of their research within the medical and scientific communities. Dr. Pardo-Manuel de Villena was selected for his leadership of the Collaborative Cross, the most genetically diverse mouse … Read more

The title of the article, published in PNAS, is “Lack of pairing during meiosis triggers multigenerational transgene silencing in Caenorhabditis elegans.” Co-first authors are Luciana Leopold, a graduate student in the Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, and Bree Heestand, a postdoctoral fellow in Shawn’s lab. This silencing process can occur for transgenes that are … Read more