The John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics (HIHG), which was established at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM) in January 2007, is dedicated to using the very latest in cutting-edge technologies to identify genes involved in human diseases for the diagnosis, intervention, and prevention of illness. Our work ranges broadly across many scientific disciplines and involves close collaboration with the global community of scientists and medical professionals, as well as the community at large.
Our scientists are among the first generation of researchers realizing the potential of the Human Genome Project, the working genetic “map” of human DNA that was completed in 2003. They are leaders in the application of clinical, molecular, and mathematical techniques to identify genes leading to human disease.
Vision and Commitment
- To discover the genetic influences on human health and apply this knowledge to the practice of medicine through improved diagnostics, treatments, and therapies as an integral part of the national effort in precision medicine.
- To expand community outreach efforts and education to bring the promise of precision medicine to a broader community of patients and families. As a multi-disciplinary, interdepartmental organization, the HIHG is committed to collaborative pan-institutional initiatives, ensuring that resources, skills, and ideas from novel genetic and genomic approaches will be made available to the entire University of Miami (UM) community as well as serve as a resource for the state of Florida and the national and international human genomics community
HIHG Administrative Structure
The HIHG has 21 faculty members with academic appointments from the Departments of Human Genetics (DHG), Neurology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences, Microbiology & Immunology, Pathology, and Public Health Sciences, and dozens of associate members from numerous schools, departments and institutes. Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance is the Director of the HIHG and Executive Vice-Chair of the DHG. Dr. Mustafa Tekin, the Chair of the DHG, serves as the Co-Director of the HIHG. There are over 100 HIHG staff members.Four Strategic Operational HIHG Centers
- Center for Genome Technology (CGT) (Dr. Jacob McCauley, Director; Dr. Anthony Griswold, Associate Director)
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Statistical Genetics (CGESG) (Dr. Eden Martin, Director)
- Center for Genomic Education and Outreach (C-GEO) (Dr. Jeffery Vance, Director; Drs. Michael Cuccaro and William Scott, Associate Directors)
- Center for Molecular Genetics (CMG) (Drs. Derek Dykxhoorn and Juan Young, Directors)
HIHG Core Services
- Biorepository (in CGT): DNA Extraction, archiving, retrieval and allocation, tissue culture. One of the largest academic biorepositories in the country, supporting >155 studies, tracking >1.2 million biospecimens, on ~300,000 unique individuals from across the globe
- Genotyping (in CGT): Whole-Genome, Targeted & Custom Genotyping and Methylation Analysis
- IPSC Core (in CMG): Reprograming and establishment of iPSC lines and differentiation into multiple cell types
- Mouse Behavioral Core (in CMG): Planning, execution, and analysis of behavioral experiments involving mice
- Sequencing (in CGT): Whole Exome / Custom Capture, Whole Genome Sequencing, RNA Sequencing
Microbiome / Metagenomics/ Epigenomics - Gene Expression (in CGT)
- Genetic Analysis (in CGESG): Statistical Genetics and Genetic Epidemiology; Bioinformatics for DNA, RNA sequencing/Clinical Informatics Data Storage