Bioinformatics Graduate Schools


Bioinformatics training within the Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB) program at Emory University is provided in a host of courses that are available and focus on the broad topics of biostatistics, genetic epidemiology, computational biology, and bioinformatics. The GMB program is highly interdisciplinary with its faculty coming from the ranks of 11 basic science and clinical departments. Our students will have opportunities to perform genetics and genomics research in six core areas, including Bioinformatics and Comparative Genomics, Cancer Genetics; Control of Genome Integrity; Developmental Genetics and Differentiation; Epigenetic Regulation and Gene Expression; and Human Genetics.

At Emory, this training enables students to mine genomic databases and generate their own datasets to understand the basis of evolution, the dissemination of disease and variations that occur with disease genes, the identification of disease traits, and the predictive nature of complex genomic analyses. Areas of focus include cancer, cell and developmental biology, epigenetics, and the principles of human disease. State-of-the-art sequencing facilities are available to enable students to investigate gene expression profiles, copy number variation, genetic polymorphisms, transcription-factor occupancy across the genome, and epigenetic modifications.

The Student Experience

To provide the basis for advanced research, introductory courses covering both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems are taken in the first year. First-year students obtain practical research training by participating in eight-week rotations in the investigators' laboratories of their choice. These rotations provide the basis for selecting dissertation topics and mentors. After completing the first year, students tailor their curriculum from a large list of specialized courses in genetics and molecular biology, as well as other areas of current biological sciences. All courses emphasize critical thinking, constructive literature evaluation, and presentation skills. Seminar courses occurring each semester focus on current topics in genetics and molecular biology and are presented by investigators within and outside of Emory. Students also present their findings in research-in-progress meetings, which are attended by their peers and the faculty. Student invited speakers, small group teaching experiences, and training in the ethical conduct of research round out the overall list of activities that occur as students conduct research and prepare their dissertation.

Research Opportunities

Research interests of the faculty vary in topic, approach and model organism. This interdepartmental graduate program derives its faculty from eight different departments including those from the departments of Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Human Genetics, Microbiology & Immunology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Pharmacology, and the Winship Cancer Institute. More on Research Opportunities...

Training Opportunities

The graduate program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB) at Emory University offers an exciting broad based training in the fields of genetics and molecular biology and their related disciplines of biochemistry, bioinformatics, cell biology, developmental biology and statistics. Research interests of the faculty vary in topic, approach and model organism. This interdepartmental graduate program derives its faculty from ten different departments including those from the departments of Human Genetics, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Microbiology & Immunology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Pharmacology, and the Winship Cancer Institute. A wide range of research opportunities in bacterial, viral, human and eukaryotic model system genetics enable students to specialize in their area of interest while obtaining an essential foundation in genetics. Areas of emphasis listed below are supported by state-of-the-art research facilities.

Research programs of the faculty fall into six major areas:

  • Regulation of Gene Expression
  • Development and Differentiation
  • Cancer Genetics and Biology
  • Human and Medical Genetics
  • Bioinformatics and Comparative Genomics
  • Genome Structure, Replication, Recombination And Repair