Lab Website: https://biology.uiowa.edu/people/john-manak

Genomics and genetics of human disease with a focus on copy number variation; fruit fly models to study chromatin biology and epilepsy; whole genome transcriptome studies in model systems; technology development of disease discovery tools.

Research in my laboratory covers three different but not mutually exclusive areas: 1) high-throughput genomics technologies to identify the genetic basis of human disease, 2) fruit fly models to understand human diseases such as epilepsy and cancer, 3) genomic technology development to facilitate identification of important mutations in both humans and model organisms. Regarding area number 1, we use array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) to identify Copy Number Variants (CNVs) in order to ultimately find the genes associated with a variety of different diseases and disorders, including spina bifida, cleft lip and palate, renal agenesis, rheumatoid arthritis and schizophrenia. Regarding area number 2, we have identified a Drosophila model for epilepsy and are currently using genetics and drug screens to help develop novel therapies for this disorder. Additionally, we are using fruit flies to study the role of the fly homologue of the human c-Myb proto-oncogene, focusing on how this gene controls chromatin structure. Regarding area number 3, we are developing a novel mutation discovery tool which can identify novel mutations in any sequenced genome. See the Manak lab website for more details on some of these projects.

PubMed link

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