Discovering precise genomic solutions for disease

The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine

 

 

 

In 2014, The Jackson Laboratory opened a state-of-the-art genomics research center on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Conn. The mission at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine is to discover the complex causes of disease and develop diagnostics and therapeutics, to empower the global medical community and Connecticut’s growing bioscience industry.

The genome is a complete genetic blueprint that is unique to each person. JAX Genomic Medicine investigates how each piece of the genome contributes to health and disease and how our genomes can guide personalized medical care. The human body consists of about 20 trillion living cells, each containing about 23,000 genes. This entire collection of genes is called the genome and contains the instructions for making and sustaining a human being. Mutations in the genome increase disease susceptibility and genomics research reveals how the genome affects health, disease and response to drugs.

JAX researchers are collaborating with Connecticut’s leading medical institutions—including the University of Connecticut Health Center, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and the Yale University School of Medicine. JAX Genomic Medicine is searching to find new ways to predict, prevent, diagnose and treat diseases. JAX Genomic Medicine’s ultimate goal is to develop individualized diagnostics, treatments and cures for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and other diseases, thereby improving health care, lowering costs and improving human health.

JAX Genomic Medicine draws on the genetics, genomics and computational biology expertise of our growing faculty; which are recruited from among the world’s best scientific labs and institutions. A greater understanding of individual genomes is allowing JAX Genomic Medicine scientists to begin to "personalize" medicine. Research done at JAX will lead to disease prediction, prevention and treatment being tailored to each patient’s unique genome. Doctors will be able to assess a person’s risk of disease and recommend preventative measures. Additionally, patients will be prescribed the most effective drugs with the fewest side effects, based on the their genomic response to those drugs.

Within the next few years discoveries there will not only advance personalized medicine, but will continue to grow Connecticut’s bioscience industry.

Learn about jobs at JAX Genomic Medicine

Join our Connecticut nonprofit biomedical research institute, which is focused on accelerating the discovery of precise genomic solutions for diseases like cancer, autism, diabetes and Alzheimer's.