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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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

Skills for Educators: Learning Under Pressure: Shaping Learner Performance with Evidence-Based Teaching Methods

Friday, October 2, 2026 8:30am to 11:30am
University of Iowa Health Care University Campus
This interactive workshop takes the science of learning and translates it into practical teaching strategies that create environments to enhance engagement and optimize learning conditions.
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Progress 2026: Learning Together in the 21st Century

Friday, October 2, 2026 (all day)
Hyatt Regency Place

Overview:
Emphasizing the interprofessional team approach to patient care, the annual Progress conference combines internal medicine and pharmacy continuing education programs into a single multi-track program offering plenary sessions, breakout sessions, and hot topics in a combined interprofessional format. This conference will discuss practice changing diagnostic and therapeutic changes in a wide range of clinical medicine.

Topics include:
Cancer in Iowa
AI and Medicine
Alzheimer's Updates
De...

Mobile Clinic - Coralville Public Library promotional image

Mobile Clinic - Coralville Public Library

Sunday, October 4, 2026 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Coralville Public Library
Mobile Clinic