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Kunkel, PhD, director of Children’s new Genomics Program,
has some advice for a new employee: “Stick around for the next 10
years,” he says, “because this is going to be an exciting time.”
Kunkel should know. A 23-year veteran of Children’s research enterprise
known for his groundbreaking work in the genetics of muscular dystrophy,
he was recently selected to head the Genomics
Program. One of six new interdisciplinary research programs,
it will encourage Children’s researchers and clinicians from across
the institution to build much more collaborative relationships with
each other. (The simple definition of genomics, says Kunkel, is
“genetic analysis on a very large scale.”)
The new emphasis on collaboration marks an exciting new direction
for Children’s research. While for some labs, the increased emphasis
on interdisciplinary collaboration will require a major adjustment,
Kunkel’s division has a history of partnering with other researchers
and clinicians in departments such as Endocrinology, Neurology and
Cardiology.
“Most major childhood problems have some genetic aspects to them,”
says Kunkel. “So my goal is to integrate research efforts more effectively
with patient populations.” To accomplish this, the Genomics Program
will initially focus on collaborations on diseases such as autism,
congenital heart defects and childhood obesity. Members of Kunkel’s
team hope to collect genetic samples from the clinics dealing with
these issues and work closely with those departments to identify
the genetic mechanisms behind these conditions.
In some research environments, says Kunkel, “turf disputes” can
hamper attempts at such collaboration, but he is confident that
his group can maintain successful partnerships “by bending over
backwards to be helpful to—and not competitive with—other departments.”
The other new programs are Vascular Biology, Neuroscience, Tissue
Regeneration, Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Clinical Research
and Informatics. Although some of these programs will occupy Children’s
new research building when it is completed this fall, the Genomics
labs will remain in the Enders building.—CM
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