The Department of Medical Genetics And Molecular Biochemistry (MG & MB) has been formed as part of the continued investment by the Temple University School of Medicine in its clinical and research infrastructure. The Department builds upon a long-standing tradition of excellence in biomedical research and a distinguished record of education. We are among the first departments to combine the clinical, research, and educational aspects of Genetics with research and education in Biochemistry.
All research faculty members participate in the interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. As described under the individual faculty web pages, most faculty members have active research programs and participate in the teaching programs across Temple University. In addition, MG & MB has a number of adjunct faculty members in other Departments, Centers, and Schools at Temple University and within our affiliated institution Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Research within MG & MB encompasses a number of different themes including:
Molecular structure and function: investigation of the functional domains of enzymes, channels and receptor proteins through mutational modification and biophysical structural analytical techniques
- Transcriptional regulation: function and mechanism of transcription factors and their role in controlling cellular development and the onset and progression of disease states
- Molecular signaling mechanisms: study of the structure and function of signaling proteins involved in control of signal transduction pathways
- Cancer cell and molecular biology: assessment of basic cancer cell biology using molecular, cellular, and biophysical approaches
- Molecular mechanisms in disease: study of transcription, signaling and metabolic control at the cellular and molecular level and relationship to cancer, cardiovascular and other disease states
- Developmental and epigenetic cellular control: study of cell development, genomic imprinting, and the role of cellular environment in controlling the function of normal and diseased cells
- Translational Genomics: genome-wide studies of genetic variation and transcriptional regulation using next generation sequencing in several disease states;
- Zebrafish Models of Human Disease: using a variety of genetic approaches, zebrafish models for metabolic and cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer are being developed.
MG & MB is an integral component within the School of Medicine’s mission to build strong clinical service and translational research programs to enhance the transformation of basic science discoveries into better patient care. We provide a translational platform of fundamental molecular, genomic, and cellular research, undertaking well-funded translational and collaborative research programs particularly in the areas of:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular and lung diseases
- Autoimmunity and diseases of the immune system
- Developmental origins of disease in embryogenesis
- Epigenetic cellular control and genomic imprinting.
- Metabolic Disease
- Neurodegenerative Disease