Genetics

Students in the Molecular Biosciences Program have opportunities for study and research over a broad range of problems in genetics extending from the molecular mechanisms of recombination and gene expression in bacteria and fungi to the study of the molecular basis of complex genetic diseases such as schizophrenia, autism, and neurological disorders.

Students interested in studying genetics can choose to affiliate with the Rutgers/UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Joint Programs in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, or the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School programs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Molecular Genetics and Microbiology.

There is a strong and rapidly growing Human Genetics group that is anchored in the Rutgers Department of Genetics and in the newly formed Human Genetics Institute. Construction is beginning on a 70,000 square foot laboratory facility for human genetics that is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2003.

There are numerous laboratories engaged in studies relating to gene expression in bacteria, viruses, mice, and humans:

• In addition to 17 laboratories who work on fundamental problems concerning the molecular genetics of yeast.
• 6 laboratories focus on problems in developmental genetics of C. elegans.
• 7 laboratories study developmental genetics of Drosophila.
• Approximately 40 laboratories pursue studies related to mouse, plant and human genetics.

For further information on faculty research foci in genetics, explore this web site using search tool on the home page.