- Faculty List
Chair of the Department of Molecular Genetics
T. Hughes, PhD
Vice Chair
J.M. Claycomb, PhD
Associate Chair & Graduate Coordinator
S. Egan, PhD
L. Frappier, PhD
Associate Chair & Undergraduate Coordinator
E. Styles, PhD
Coordinator, Careers, Communication & Alumni Relations
M. Steiner, PhD
LTRI Rep
D. Schramek, PhDProfessors
B. J. Andrews, PhD
I. Andrulis, PhD
P. Awadalla, PhD
G. Bader, PhD
B. J. Blencowe, PhD
C. Boone, PhD
J. Brill, PhD
J. Brumell, PhD
B. Ciruna, PhD
J. M. Claycomb, PhD
A. W. Cochrane, PhD
R. Cohn, PhD
R. A. Collins, PhD
S. Cordes, PhD
L. E. Cowen, PhD
J. Culotti, PhD
A. Davidson, PhD
J. Dennis, PhD
W. B. Derry, PhD
J. Dick, PhD
P. Dirks, PhD
J. Dowling, PhD
D. Durocher, PhD
A. Edwards, PhD
S. Egan, PhD
J. Ellis, PhD
O. Ernst, PhD
L. D. Frappier, PhD
A. G. Fraser, PhD
B. E. Funnell, PhD
B. Gallie, PhD
A. C. Gingras, PhD
S. D. Gray-Owen, PhD
J. F. Greenblatt, PhD
T. Hughes, PhD
C. C. Hui, PhD
M. Justice, PhD
D. Kaplan, PhD
L. Kay, PhD
H. M. Krause, PhD
H. Lipshitz, PhD
J. Liu, PhD
F. Miller, PhD
J. Moffat, PhD
M. Moran, PhD
Q. Morris, PhD
W. W. Navarre, PhD
L. Osborne, PhD
D. J. Parkinson, PhD
C. E. Pearson, PhD
L. Pelletier, PhD
M. Ramalho-Santos, PhD
J. Rini, PhD
J. M. Rommens, PhD
J. Rossant, PhD
F. P. Roth, PhD
P. J. Roy, PhD
S. Scherer, PhD
I. Scott, PhD
F. Sicheri, PhD
A. M. Spence, PhD
I. Stagljar, PhD
L. Stein, PhD
M. Tyers, PhD
D. van der Kooy, PhD
J. Wrana, PhD
Z. Zhang, PhD
M. Zhen, PhDAssociate Professors
M. Brown, MSc, PhD
E. Campos, PhD
A. W. Ensminger, PhD
J. Gillis, PhD
S. Hopyan, PhD
X. Huang, PhD
S. Joshi, DSc, PhD
T. Kim, PhD
B. D. Lavoie, PhD
J. Lefebvre, PhD
M. Meneghini, PhD
J. Park, PhD
J. Reimand, PhD
A. Reinke, PhD
H. Röst, PhD
D. Schramek, PhD
C. Smibert, PhD
B. Steipe, PhD
E. Styles, PhD
M. Taipale, PhD
A. Wilde, PhD
M. Wilson, PhD
R. Yuen, PhDAssistant Professors
S. Abelson, PhD
A. Babaian, PhD
K. Campbell, DPhil
G. Costain, MD, PhD
P. Delgado Olguin, PhD
A. Deshwar, MD, PhD
M. Hayes, PhD
T. Hurd, PhD
Z. Ivakine, PhD
H. Jackson, PhD
R. Kafri, PhD
B. Kalish, MD
Y. Li, PhD
P. Maass, PhD
R. Montenegro-Burke, PhD
J. Muffat, PhD
K. Okamoto, PhD
S. Protze, PhD
K. Rozen-Gagnon, PhD
J. Simpson, PhD
M. Steiner, PhD
T. Tsukahara, PhD
J.-Y. Youn, PhD
O. Zhulyn, PhD
Introduction
Molecular biology has revolutionized the fields of genetics and microbiology. The Department of Molecular Genetics offers Specialist and Major programs in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, which emphasize the molecular aspects of both disciplines. Genetics, the science of heredity, and microbiology, the study of microorganisms (microbes), have long served as meeting grounds for a variety of biological disciplines. Developments in genetics and microbiology have contributed greatly to our basic understanding of the fundamental processes of life as well as to the treatment of genetic and infectious diseases.
Of particular significance in molecular genetics has been the development of techniques that permit the cloning of genes responsible for specific traits, and the detailed analysis of their regulation, interactions, and products. More recently the advent of genome sequencing has fueled efforts to understand in full the information content of the genome and to assign function to every gene, using methods that allow systematic, genome-scale analyses of gene expression, the phenotypic consequences of gene disruption, and the interactions between genes and gene products. Now, as we move into an era in which we can leverage gene editing tools such as CRISPR to address issues that have previously been intractable, our ability to understand and interpret our genomes at a molecular level is more important than ever.
Molecular techniques have also dramatically increased our ability to diagnose and understand viral and bacterial infectious disease, and the complex microbe/host interactions that are involved. The impact of these and other technological advances extend to such diverse fields as plant and animal developmental biology, virology, immunology, cancer biology, and biotechnology. Studies at a molecular level are essential to understanding the consequences to life when fundamental processes are altered by mutation, by infection, or by the environment.
The Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Specialist programs are research-intensive programs designed to provide in-depth discipline-specific training. This includes critical analyses of scientific concepts and literature, advanced laboratory experience, and a detailed understanding of the applications of field-specific techniques. Specialists enter the program in 2nd year, selecting one of two available Streams: Genetics or Microbiology. Each Stream provides focused training, but there is considerable overlap between the streams, reflective of both the cross-disciplinary requirements of these two rapidly evolving disciplines and the impact of each on areas spanning modern biomedical science and research.
The Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Major program offers students fundamental training in both molecular genetics and microbiology. Students have the flexibility to tailor their own program and may focus their studies on microbiology, genetics, or a combination of the two by choosing a path to suit their specific interests. Students take several advanced courses in these disciplines, but the Major allows them to choose the breadth of their training by combining the MGY Major with another Major of interest.
The Department of Molecular Genetics is also a co-sponsor of the Major program in Genome Biology, with the Departments of Cell and Systems Biology (CSB), and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). See the Biology program listings for details of the Genome Biology Major.
Career opportunities for graduates include employment in research institutes, universities and other educational institutions, and industry. The programs provide excellent preparation for post-graduate research and professional programs.
Undergraduate Coordinator: Erin Styles (email: erin.styles@utoronto.ca)
Undergraduate Office/General Inquiries: Medical Sciences Building Rm 4398 (416-978-8359; email: studentservices.mogen@utoronto.ca)
More information is available on our website: http://www.moleculargenetics.utoronto.ca/
If you have admissions questions, please book an appointment with us by clicking here.