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08.22.03

Kunkel to head Genomics Program
 

ouis 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