Annual Report 2023-2024 – Genomics Institute

As we enter into the next era with exponentially more powerful computational engines, born of advances in AI and computer hardware, the dominance of computing in the life sciences will only increase. We hope that you are as excited as we are for the opportunities that this opens up for applications in public health, conservation, and personalized medicine. Our institute is poised and eager to once again lead the charge.
– David Haussler
Scientific Director
UCSC Genomics Institute

Quick Numbers

$28.9M

In federal funding and state contracts

$1.8M

In foundation and gift funding

50.4K

Research citations in 2023

62

Affiliate faculty

9

Unique mentoring/ training programs to reduce barriers to STEM

137

Species sequenced through the CA Conservation Genomics Project

250

Genes linked with neuropsychiatric disorders identified for study

427M

Long-read sequences used to optimize sequencing methods

30 Million

New bases added to the human genome reference with the completion of the Y Chromosome (revealing 41 additional protein-coding regions!)

During my first year as Executive Director of the institute, I’ve been doing a lot of learning and listening, and I’ve come away with an overwhelming sense that this organization has reached an inflection point… In the next five years, we will grow in ways that I am sure will astound even those with their ears closest to the ground, with new work in applications for AI and machine learning, conservation, public health, disease treatment, diagnosis and prevention, and much more.
– Lauren Linton
Executive Director
UCSC Genomics Institute

Top Headlines

A closeup of a y chromosome, displayed among the 22 other sets of chromosomes

Researchers complete sequencing of a human Y chromosome

A blue chromosome shaped as an X with the ends highlighted in orange.

New finding about telomeres could lead to potential disease targets

A woman looking at test results that say "uncertain"

BRCA Exchange provides answers on breast cancer risk

A photo of an organoid as viewed under a microscope with circular regions lit up in light blue surrounded by darker blue and red dots.

New tech brings organoids into undergrad classrooms for the first time

A photo of a dolphin overlaid with text that reads "welcome to edna Explorer" and displays a search bar

eDNA Explorer provides a powerful new resource for conservation

Community Outreach

We are committed to educating the next generation of scientists, and making sure that genomic research careers are accessible to everyone. Our training programs and outreach events provide pathways to majors such as bioinformatics and bioengineering, and will develop a more robust pipeline of diverse learners into our undergraduate majors.

Research Mentoring Internship
(Undergraduate)

students working on laptops and desktops

Bilingual Bioinformatics & Coding Short Course (Community College)

two students present their work on a poster board

GREAT Summer Research Program (Undergraduate)

Bioinformatics Summer Bridge Program (Undergraduate)

Remote Project-Based Learning With Organoids (High School – Undergraduate)

Treehouse Undergraduate members holding the Treehouse bannor

Treehouse Undergraduate Bioinformatics Immersion
(Undergraduate)

A group of students huddled on land recently burned by a wildfire

ASPIRE eDNA Program (Undergraduate)

UCSC XENA Mentorship (Undergraduate)

Research Training in Genomics
(Graduate)

Priorities for 2024/25

As we approach the 25th anniversary of our participation in the Human Genome Project and our UCSC Genome Browser, we are entering a new chapter of genomics in which practical applications like clinical diagnostic sequencing, tracking dangerous pathogens in real time, and genetically altering species to resist climate change will become mainstream. Our goal as we enter into this new era is to lead our wide network of collaborators in transformational projects that will accelerate the implementation of genomics applications for a healthier world. This includes, but is not limited to:

Completing our work to create a clinical diagnostic lab for pediatric cancer
Creating tools to improve the diagnosis of cancer and rare disease, and assess the impact of specific gene variants on cancer risk
Completing a new, more diverse genomic reference for genomic and biomedical research
Continuing to work with government agencies to develop platforms that track viruses
Creating brain organoids to explore the genetic origins of schizophrenia, autism, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders
Working with National Parks and conservationists to use eDNA data to document biodiversity and track invasive species
Co-leading efforts to create reference genomes for all vertebrate species
Developing new resources for the growing base of clinical users on our UCSC Genome Browser and other platforms
Identifying genetic variations that could help species more quickly adapt to changing climates
Harness the power of generative AI for the life sciences
Expanding hands-on educational opportunities for the next generation of scientists
Incorporating ELSI principles into everything we do