IIHG Divisions

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Genomics

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We are the people behind the scenes of the research projects that help keep the University of Iowa on the cutting edge of science. From cancer to cystic fibrosis to muscular dystrophy, we perform the lab tests and we do the analyses to help researchers achieve their ultimate goal of improving healthcare for you and your family. 

We also prepare today's undergraduates to be tomorrow's graduate students and your future researchers and healthcare providers. Over 50% of our summer interns successfully attend graduate school and pursue careers in STEM fields including Genetic Counseling, Medicine, Nursing, Computational Biology and Molecular Genetics. 

Genetics Cluster Initiative

Genetics transcends departments, colleges and disciplines and generates both needs and services in the basic sciences, health care, bioethics, law, bioinformatics and communications.

The Genetics Cluster Initiative at the University of Iowa includes professors from each of the aforementioned specialties, providing for a true round table discussion and collaborative approach to the unique nuances of personalized genomic medicine. 

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Recent Publications

Spatial transcriptomics analysis uncovers ER stress in MANF-deficient Purkinje cells underlying alcohol-induced cerebellar neurodegeneration in mice

Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Wen Wen
Alcohol use disorders (AUD) is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in the United States affecting more than 10% of the adult population. Cerebellar atrophy and Purkinje cell (PC) degeneration are frequently observed in patients with AUD. Alcohol can cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in PCs and alter PC structure and function. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is an ER stress inducible protein highly expressed in PCs. It is neuroprotective in various ER...

EHE cell cultures are a platform for mechanistic and therapeutic investigation

Friday, October 10, 2025
Nicholas Scalora
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a difficult to treat vascular sarcoma defined by TAZ-CAMTA1 (TC) or YAP-TFE3 (YT) fusion proteins. Human cell lines needed to further understand the pathogenesis of EHE have been lacking. Herein, we describe a method to generate EHE extended primary cell cultures. An integrated multi -omic and functional approach was used to characterize these cultures. The cell cultures, relatively homogenous by single cell RNA-Seq, demonstrated established...

Extracellular Vesicles-Induced Cell Homing and Odontogenesis via microRNA Signaling for Dentin Regeneration

Thursday, August 14, 2025
Venkateswaran Ganesh
Reparative tertiary dentinogenesis requires the recruitment and odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) as bioactive molecules have gained attention in regenerative medicine for their ability to mediate tissue repair through intercellular communication, influencing cell recruitment, proliferation, and differentiation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of EVs on DPSC homing and odontogenic differentiation for dentin regeneration....

Utility of Genetic Information for Management in Kidney Transplantation and Living Donation

Friday, July 18, 2025
Yasar Caliskan
Kidney transplantation is the best treatment for kidney failure in eligible patients, significantly improving survival and quality of life. While short-term post-transplant survival has improved, long-term outcomes remain limited. Advances in genetic research have the potential to transform kidney transplantation. The shortage of donor organs underscores the need for improved organ availability, optimized immunosuppression, and enhanced monitoring to minimize repeat transplants. Improved...

Maternal α-cypermethrin and permethrin exert differential effects on fetal growth, placental morphology, and fetal neurodevelopment in mice

Sunday, June 15, 2025
Benjamin A Elser
Pyrethroid insecticides represent a broad class of chemicals used widely in agriculture and household applications. Human studies show mixed effects of maternal pyrethroid exposure on fetal growth and neurodevelopment. Assessment of shared pyrethroid metabolites as a biomarker for exposure obscures effects of specific chemicals within this broader class. To better characterize pyrethroid effects on fetal development, we investigated maternal exposure to permethrin, a type I pyrethroid, and...

Events

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Filiz Korkmaz, PhD promotional image

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Filiz Korkmaz, PhD

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Filiz Korkmaz, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Iowa

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

BMB Research Workshop promotional image

BMB Research Workshop

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 12:30pm to 1:20pm
Medical Education Research Facility

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology holds research workshops featuring internal speakers on Tuesdays, 12:30-1:20pm. For Spring 2026, these will occur in 2117 MERF. Presentation titles are not publicly available due to the use of unpublished research. Individuals interested in attending workshops or being added to the email list should contact the office at biochem@uiowa.edu.

Jan. 20: open

Jan. 27: open

Feb. 3: open

Feb. 10: open

Feb. 17: Tyler Woodward, PhD Candidate, 4th Year...

ACB Seminar Series - Joy James & Dr. Emma Thornell promotional image

ACB Seminar Series - Joy James & Dr. Emma Thornell

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 9:30am to 10:30am
Bowen Science Building

Joy James, a Cell and Developmental Biology Student in the Stephens Lab, will present a seminar titled “Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Mediate Early Β-cell Dysfunction In Type 1 Diabetes."

Dr. Emma Thornell, a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, will present a seminar titled “Sustainable Science: Integrating Sustainability and Innovation in Biomedical Research."