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Pioneering Scientist to Head New Facility at School of Medicine

Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, Baltimore Examiner, Associated Press, Daily Record

One of the world’s leading experts on the DNA of microorganisms that harm humans will head the new School of Medicine’s Institute of Genome Sciences, an addition that promises to thrust the University to the front ranks of the movement to apply genetics to medicine. Claire Fraser-Liggett, PhD, is a pioneering geneticist known for mapping the genomes of deadly microbes such as anthrax and cholera. “I’m just extremely excited about this possibility. I have been looking for ways to expand the work I have done in comparative genomics and start doing more functional work,” Fraser-Liggett said. “We are fortunate to have recruited a world-class researcher. We believe we will, in short time, have the leading center in the nation, if not in the world,” said E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, dean of the School. The focus of the Institute will be bringing discoveries in the basic science of genomics into the clinic, particularly in the area of infectious disease. Clinical work is an area in which the School is particularly strong, said. Bruce Jarrell, MD, vice dean for research and academic affairs. “It’s a very significant event in the history of the School,” said James Kaper, PhD, professor at the School. “It gives us a tremendous amount of expertise in this field.” Fraser-Ligget’s husband, Stephen Liggett, MD, is professor at the School and studies the molecular biology of the heart. The couple are collaborating on research into human cold viruses.