Molecular Genetics

The Division of Molecular Genetics has material and personnel resources permitting the analysis of the genetic basis for monogenic or complex medical and physiological phenotypes in humans or rodents. The laboratory is also the Molecular Biology Core laboratory of the New York Obesity Research Center.

The lab is expert in the use of naturally occurring and transgenic rodent models to identify candidate molecules, and in vetting these candidates in large numbers of human subjects using high throughput methods (SNP detection, copy number analysis, and high throughput sequencing).

The Division also co-administers research activities for the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center. Hence, the Division actually operates across many scientific and administrative areas of the university.

Division highlights include:

• Berrie Program in Cellular Therapies of Diabetes, an international program to evaluate the molecular basis for the development and function of insulin producing cells in the pancreas. The program is now at the end of its 3rd year, and has been extended for a 4th year.
• Frontiers in Diabetes Research: Click here for the brochure. The Annual Frontiers in Diabetes Research symposium is a full day symposium with presentation of the Naomi Berrie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diabetes Research international recognized leaders in the field of diabetes research.
• The Pollin Award, in Pediatric Research, an international award for biomedical research presented to leaders in improvement in children's health.
• New York Obesity Research Center (NYORC): Dr. Leibel is Co-Director of the NYORC, and Director (along with Drs. Wendy Chung and Streamson Chua) of the Molecular Biology/Molecular Genetics Core.