Innovation
Research in the Department spans a broad spectrum of cutting-edge genetics, encompassing global genomics, evolution of complex traits, single-cell multiomics, precision gene editing, and mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance, among others.
Passion
Our faculty, trainees, and staff are united by an enduring curiosity about the fundamental principles of life and a relentless drive to uncover the genetic underpinnings of health and disease.
Collaboration
Scientific discovery in the Department is deeply collaborative by design. Faculty partner across disciplines with leading experts in medicine, computational biology, engineering, and public health to tackle the most complex questions in genetics.
Impact
Our labs combine advanced technologies with biological insights to accelerate the translation of genetic knowledge in precision medicine, enhance genomic diagnostics, and train future leaders in genomic science.
Message from the Chair: Daniel J. Rader, M.D.
Welcome to the Department of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) at the University of Pennsylvania. Our 35 primary faculty members conduct cutting-edge research across a broad spectrum of genetics and genomics, including human genetics, evolutionary and population genetics, epigenetics, functional genomics, experimental model systems, RNA biology, and computational and statistical genomics. Our research ranges from fundamental biological discovery to genomic medicine and translational therapeutics. As the central hub for genetics and genomics research on campus, the Department maintains strong collaborations with clinical departments and numerous Centers and Institutes across PSOM and the University. We also provide administrative oversight for several core facilities that support research laboratories throughout the School of Medicine and affiliated institutions. Additionally, the Department plays a vital role in educating medical and graduate students, as well as training the next generation of genomic scientists.
Weekly Events
Upcoming EventsNews
Announcing the New Director of the Lurie Autism Institute
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Eric M. Morrow, MD, PhD, as Founding Director of the Lurie Autism Institute (LAI), a collaboration between Penn Medicine and CHOP. Beginning September 1, 2026, Dr. Morrow will lead the Institute’s mission to advance groundbreaking autism research and care across the lifespan.
Penn Genetics Celebrates Klaus Kaestner PhD MS, the 20th EASD Albert Renold Prize Recipient
Penn Genetics is proud to celebrate Professor Klaus Kaestner, named the 2026 recipient of the Albert Renold Prize, in recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements and enduring impact on diabetes research.
Professor Kaestner will present his Albert Renold Prize Lecture at the upcoming EASD Annual Meeting.
Please join us in congratulating Klaus Kaestner on this exceptional honor and international recognition of his contributions to the field of diabetes research!
Kaestner Lab Publishes New Open-Access Article in Nature Communications
The Department of Genetics is pleased to announce that the Kaestner Lab has published a new open-access research article in Nature Communications titled:“Villification of the intestinal epithelium is driven by Foxl1 through activation of PDGFRα and BMPs.”
The article features authors Guoli Zhu and Galina Rozenberg of the Kaestner lab in the Department of Genetics.