Interdisciplinary
Research
We are a diverse and multidisciplinary research institute that fosters collaboration between engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences, and social sciences, with the goal of driving impactful change.
Collaboration
We have members and collaborators throughout academia and industry. We work with clinicians, marine and fishery researchers, conservationists, public health officials, and others to bring genomics data, tools, and biotech to some of the world’s most pressing problems.
Mentorship
Training the next generation of scientists is a vital part of what we do. Learn about our educational programs and our efforts to bring experiential learning to students from secondary to graduate school.
⚡️Impact Highlight⚡️
Less invasive epilepsy treatment could be around the corner
Researchers in the Braingeneers group at UC Santa Cruz, UC San Francisco, and UC Berkeley have used pulses of light to prevent seizure-like activity in neurons, using a technique known as optogenetics. Edward Chang, the chair of Neurological Surgery at UCSF, said these insights could revolutionize care for people with epilepsy:
“We’ll be able to give people much more subtle, effective control over their seizures while saving them from such an invasive surgery.”
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Genomic analysis reveals ritual sacrifice of close relatives in ancient Moche burial site
New research by UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute core member Lars Fehren-Schmitz reveals a startling discovery that the Moche people, who lived in Peru 1,500 years ago, sacrificed related family members, including adolescents, upon another family member’s death — the first time archaeologists had confirmed such intra-family sacrifice among the Moche people. “Most of what…
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Mark Akeson elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
UC Santa Cruz Professor Emeritus of Biomolecular Engineering and Genomics Institute Associate Member Mark Akeson has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Akeson is the co-inventor of nanopore sequencing, a revolutionary method for reading DNA and RNA that has enabled some of the most significant advances in the genomics field.
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UCSC alum and current student make Forbes 30 under 30 list in healthcare
UCSC adjunct professor and alum Aviv Elor and UCSC PhD candidate Ash Robbins have been named to the Forbes 30 under 30 in Healthcare list. The two co-founded Immergo Labs to put artificial intelligence and virtual reality to work helping physical therapists in the telehealth domain. See the Forbes Profile.
Video Highlights
A Lifetime of Achievement in Genomics
Completing a Human Genome
Stoping Extinction Through Studying Ancient DNA