IIHG Divisions

Bioinformatics

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Education

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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Ask a member of the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics your genetics-related question. Complete this online form and we will be happy to assist you

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Recent Publications

Using Patient iPSC-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium to Evaluate Differential Susceptibility to MEK Inhibitor-Associated Retinopathy

Saturday, September 12, 2026
Lola P Lozano
CONCLUSIONS: These exploratory findings support a testable hypothesis: that MEK inhibitor-Associated Retinopathy preferentially affects susceptible patients whose retinal pigment epithelium cannot sufficiently regulate expression of genes related to fluid transport and cell volume, altering the ability of these cells to properly function. Confirmation will require additional donor lines from each clinical phenotype.

CFTR modulation alter pancreatic cancer cell growth and signaling: implications for cancer risk in cystic fibrosis

Saturday, September 12, 2026
Yunxia O'Malley
CONCLUSIONS: CFTR restoration not only improves channel function but also reprograms transcriptional networks to act as a synchronized brake on epithelial replication velocity and migration. These findings suggest that CFTR-targeting therapies may fundamentally influence pancreatic cancer biology and have implications for cancer risk management in PwCF.

Genetic and epigenetic contributors to cleft laterality: evidence from monozygotic mirror twins and replication cohorts

Friday, September 11, 2026
Aline L Petrin
Nonsyndromic cleft lip (nsCL) exhibits a non-random laterality pattern, with left-sided clefts occurring twice as frequently as right-sided clefts. The molecular mechanisms underlying this laterality bias remain poorly understood. We performed whole-genome sequencing and methylation profiling on a family comprising monozygotic twins with mirror-image nsCL, their affected mother, and unaffected father and brother. We conducted three independent replications via publicly available whole genome...

Oncogene SETDB1's dual role: driving tumor progression and immune escape

Saturday, August 1, 2026
Kiarash Salari
Oncogene SETDB1, an H3K9 methyltransferase, drives tumorigenesis in various cancers. Using endometrial cancer (EC) as a model, we discovered SETDB1's dual mechanisms in driving EC tumorigenesis and mediating immune evasion. SETDB1 knockout (SETDB1^(-/-)) tumor-bearing mice exhibited prolonged survival up to 100 days. Transcriptomic profiling of SETDB1^(-/-) EC cells revealed decreased oncogene expression and increased tumor suppressor gene expression, which indicates that SETDB1 intrinsically...

A decade of complement inhibition in post-transplant atypical HUS: outcomes with eculizumab and ravulizumab

Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Naga Sumanth Reddy Gopireddy
No abstract

Events

ACB Seminar Series - Juan Rodriguez & Trevor Jones promotional image

ACB Seminar Series - Juan Rodriguez & Trevor Jones

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 9:30am to 10:30am
Bowen Science Building

Juan Rodriguez, a Cell and Developmental Biology Student in the Yang Lab, will present a seminar titled “Obesity-Associated Nitrosative Stress Disrupts Hepatic IDE Function and Insulin Metabolism."

Trevor Jones, a Cell and Developmental Biology Student in the Frank Lab, will present a seminar titled “Roles for Sialyltransferase in Synapse Development and Function."

Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Workshop, Adnan Ahmed promotional image

Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Workshop, Adnan Ahmed

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Bowen Science Building
Iowa ReSpectacle Back to School Donation Drive promotional image

Iowa ReSpectacle Back to School Donation Drive

Wednesday, September 16 to Friday, September 25, 2026 (all day)
Medical Education Research Facility
Donate used glasses to be recycled and redistributed across the globe during the back-to-school season! Drop-off locations are available from Aug. 24 to Sept. 25 across the University of Iowa campuses and clinics.