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
Location
Connect
Topics
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.
-
Research HighlightMarch 17, 2023Examining the role of TDP-43
Cat Lutz is on a group whose research examines TDP-43 and its effect on stathmin-2. -
Research HighlightMarch 14, 2023Grant supports development of peroxisome mouse models
New $3 million NIH grant will establish a Mouse Mutant Peroxisome Research Resource. -
Featured ArticleMarch 07, 2023Announcing the 2023 JAX Scholars
The Jackson Laboratory is proud to announce Lisa Wren, Ph.D., and Michael MacLean, Ph.D., as the 2023 JAX Scholars. -
Research HighlightJanuary 27, 2023Transposable elements within the dynamic human genome
Christine Beck is examining transposable elements within the human genome.
-
Press ReleaseMarch 14, 2023Paigen Endowed Fellowship supports bladder function and aging research
Inaugural Paigen Fellow Cara Hardy, Ph.D., studies bladder-brain connections. -
Research HighlightMarch 14, 2023How does inflammation and aging tie to the AP-1 Complex?
JAX researchers reveal proteins from two families are consistently activated and likely play a role in promoting chronic inflammation with age. -
Press ReleaseFebruary 14, 2023JAX scientists aim to regenerate light-sensing cells as treatment for eye disease
A generous gift from Ray Sproats will support research into using human stem cells to treat age-related eye disease. -
Research HighlightJanuary 27, 2023Improving iPSC research with new cell lines
A stable iPSC line, KOLF2.1J, has been established to act as a high-quality baseline platform for modeling human disease.