Founded: 1991
Full Time: 65
Part Time: 1
Budget: 1,000,000.00
Director: Bronya J.B. Keats, Ph.D.
1901 Perdido Street, Suite 5A1
New Orleans, LA 70112
Telephone: 504/568-8088 FAX: 504/568-8500 E-Mail: biombjk@lsumc.edu
Research Areas:
The mission of the Center for Molecular and Human Genetics is to promote and facilitate multidisciplinary collaborations and communication in order to develop outstanding and integrated genetics programs in research, teaching and clinical services. Ongoing research projects include:
(1) Identification and characterization of genes for neurodegenerative disorders and hearing and visual impairment in the Acadian population; (2) Development of gene-based therapies for diabetes, cancer and cystic fibrosis; (3) Determination of the contribution of interspersed DNA repeated sequences to human variation, genome instability and disease; (4) Examination of legal and ethical issues that arise from genetic knowledge; (5) Phenotypic characterization of carriers of mutations that are associated with hearing impairment; (5) Genetic epidemiologic studies of complex disorders such as cancer, psychiatric disorders, heart disease and diabetes; (6) Mutational analyses in mitochondrial disorders; and (7) Functional analysis of genes controlling circadian rhythms in mammals.
Areas of Expertise:
The major focus of the Center is to advance diagnostic and therapeutic benefits for genetic diseases that have increased risks in the Acadian population. These diseases include Friedreich ataxia, Usher syndrome (deaf-blindness), and other neurological, visual and auditory disorders, as well as diabetes and cancer. Additionally, the Center is closely allied with the Department of Biometry and Genetics, and biostatisticians in this department provide statistical consulting services.
Special Capabilities and Facilities:
Members of the Center direct Medical Genetics Clinics and provide Genetic Diagnostic Services throughout Louisiana. The Center also disseminates information to the community through the production and extensive circulation of its newsletter, Linkage, as well as providing educational presentations and laboratory tours for business, school and other community groups.
Research Equipment:
Major pieces of equipment in the laboratories of members of
the Center include an ABI Model 377 sequencer, BioRad
CHEF-mappers, thermal cyclers, spectrophotometer, Kodak X-Omat
film developing unit and a UV light box and camera.
Keywords:
1002019 Genetics
1002058 Molecular Genetics
0785075 Medical Genetics
0413011 Human Population Genetics
0745083 Gene Therapy
0715050 Communicative Disorders, Hearing
0715035 Cancer/Carcinogenesis
0715253 Ataxia
0755041 Molecular Cloning
0755045 Nucleic Acid Sequencing
0765015 Gene Regulation
0765046 Gene Expression