The Munger Lab
Steven Munger, Ph.D., uses a systems genetics approach and advanced computational methods to study development and complex disease in advanced mouse populations.
Principal Investigator
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Research Focus
The genetic origins of most developmental disorders and diseases are complex and remain poorly understood. Rather than a single deleterious mutation, genetic susceptibility to common diseases is conferred by many variants that individually assert subtle effects but in certain combinations perturb cellular networks sufficiently to bias them to a disordered/diseased state. Classic single-gene experimental approaches fail to elucidate these interactions, but new integrative genomic and genetic approaches from the emerging field of “Systems Genetics” hold considerable promise.
The Munger lab combines experimental and computational methods with advanced mouse mapping populations to solve these complex genetic puzzles.
We examine the natural genetic variation driving individual differences in 1) susceptibility to sex reversal during primary sex determination of the gonad, 2) disease severity in a mouse model of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, and 3) transcript and protein expression in the adult liver. We apply our genetic and genomics toolkit to predict causal variants and genetic interactions underlying phenotypic variability, validate these predictions at the bench with functional genomics methods, and ultimately seek to extend these results to inform patient diagnosis and treatment.
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Research HighlightNovember 10, 2022Arming the immune system against SARS-Cov-2
Derya Unutmaz and his team have capitalized on cancer immunotherapy techniques to develop potential variant-proof treatments for COVID-19. -
Research HighlightSeptember 28, 2022Tipping the scale toward favorable outcomes in cancer and beyond
Jennifer Trowbridge and her team reveal the molecular signaling pathway most associated with clonal hematopoiesis and how blocking a specific cell-surface receptor in the pathway can tip the balance toward positive health outcomes. -
Featured ArticleSeptember 06, 2022Connecting life-long dietary restrictions and loss of cognitive function
Andrew Ouellette is helping to discover new connections between life-long dietary restriction and the loss of cognitive function. -
Press ReleaseAugust 31, 2022Peter Robinson to serve on NHGRI Advisory Council
Peter Robinson of the Jackson Laboratory was sworn in to the National Human Genome Research Institute’s (NHGRI) Advisory Council on Aug 19, 2022.
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Research HighlightOctober 19, 2022Examining the exquisite arrangement of stereocilia in the ear
New study examines the molecular machinery that makes the precise construction and arrangement of stereocillia in the ear possible. -
Featured ArticleSeptember 15, 2022JAX undertakes nationwide study to evaluate impact of genomic tumor boards on cancer care
The Jackson Laboratory announced today that it will take its cornerstone genomic tumor board program to oncologists across the nation as part of a SWOG Cancer Research Network study, in collaboration with Columbia University. -
Featured ArticleSeptember 06, 2022Developing machine learning and deep learning at JAX
Matthew Gerring is applying the machine learning and deep learning revolution at JAX. -
Research HighlightJuly 21, 2022Investigating endometriosis, cell by cell
Many women worldwide are affected by endometriosis, though there has been relatively little research into causes or possible therapies. Elise Courtois, associate director of the Single Cell Biology group at The Jackson Laboratory, is a leading proponent for increasing awareness of and funding for endometriosis.