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 The
Medical College 1995 Research Strategic Plan identified Genetics,
Cancer and Bioinformatics as three key areas that needed development
at the Medical College of
Wisconsin.
In 1996 the Dean and Senior Vice President, Michael J. Dunn, M.D.,
commissioned a committee to assess research direction and genetic
needs at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The committee spent
a
year developing a strategic plan for the Genetics Center. The plan
called for developing the research expertise to capitalize on the
remarkable progress of the Human Genome Project. Having the entire
sequence of the human genome and several other model organisms,
and pathogens means that, in principle, for the first time scientists
have a full compendium of genes related to health and disease.
For
the next several decades scientists will focus on defining gene
function (functional genomics) and how genes interact with each
other and the environment to produce disease. The Human and Molecular
Genetics Center was charged with develop the critical infrastructure
required to position MCW to be a leader in functional genomics.
In October of 1999, Howard Jacob was appointed the first Director
of the Human and Molecular Genetics Center.
Mission Statement
Develop a Research Center of Excellence that enables researchers
at MCW to use the genomic sequence to understand disease and to
translate this information from the laboratory bench to our patients
in our affiliated hospitals.
Goals
During the next 5 to 7 years the Human and Molecular Genetics Center
will
- Co-recruit with basic science and clinical departments a total
of 14 new faculty. Ten of these faculty will be wet-lab scientists
and four will be bioinformatic scientists (computer scientists
focused on biology).
- Expand or develop the following technology platforms:
- Bioinformatics
- Genomics
- High throughput sequencing and the development and use of
single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
- Human Genetics Research Program
- Microarray
- Translational research program (Transgenic/Knock-out Facility,
Gene Therapy and Stem cell research)
- Become a recognized leader in the area of functional genomics.
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