Disease can result from genetic alterations (changes in DNA) or epigenetic factors (alterations in gene expression not related to changes in DNA). Genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors may all interact together to create disease. Even single gene disorders have genetic modifiers that influence presentation, progression, severity or response to treatments. By working to identify the genes or epigenetic influences responsible for such debilitating conditions as autoimmune disorders, cancer, diabetes or spina bifida disease, CHORI researchers hope to dramatically improve the repertoire of tools for disease prevention and management.

Envision a world in which clinicians choose the most optimal treatment strategies based on an individual’s genetic information, while researchers utilize that same information to design preventative and therapeutic agents for specific groups of individuals. With CHORI’s powerful combination in the Center for Genetics of innovation, collaboration and dedicated research, that world could just be possible. Explore the links in the sidebar menu to discover all that CHORI's Center for Genetics has to offer.