UCLA Department of Human Genetics

A hub of deep expertise, the Department of Human Genetics helps partners across UCLA interpret data and leverage genomic technology to improve study design and solve medical problems. The faculty and people in the Department demystify genetic complexities to provide vital insights for a range of clinical and research applications. Its members strive to improve the care of as many patients as possible by pushing their capabilities, developing novel ways to address unanswered questions.

UCLA launched the Department of Human Genetics during the start of a new age of medicine. Researchers around the world had nearly finished mapping and sequencing human genes, producing mountains of raw genomic data. The new department aimed to lead the scientific community in using this novel data to better understand and treat human disease. When the department opened its doors, genomic data was inscrutable to everyone. Today, its faculty use genomic data to develop patient-specific treatments and prevention strategies that save lives.

The Department is dedicated to turning the mountains of raw genetic data into a detailed understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of human disease. The key to such understanding is the realization that genes not only code for specific proteins, but they also control the temporal development and maturation of every living organism through a complex web of interactions. The department serves as a focal point for genetics research on the UCLA campus, with state of the art facilities for gene expression, sequencing, genotyping, and bioinformatics. In addition to its research mission, the Department offers many exciting training opportunities for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents.

For more information, please visit the Department of Human Genetics webpage.

Last updated
January 4, 2024