Understanding the genetic material DNA and RNA, heredity, and variationthat's genetics. Studies in genetics focus on questions like:

Follow the links below to learn more about genetics, including recent developments, and read profiles of researchers working in this field.

Explains the role of genes in health and disease, the basics of DNA and its molecular cousin RNA, and new directions in genetic research.

Explores how computing advances are helping scientists uncover new details about diseases, drug treatments and even crimes.

During the fundamental process of mitosis, a type of cell division, dividing cells sometimes make errors while divvying up chromosomes. Understanding how this happens may help researchers develop targeted therapies for a variety of diseases, including cancer. Learn more about how NIGMS-funded research is exploring this vital, complex process.

Did you know that we have free education resources you can use from home to engage students in science? Explore our Science Education Partnership Award program projects and Pathways resources to find STEM learning opportunities for pre-K through grade 12.

NIGMS grantee and presidential award recipient Sohini Ramachandran, Ph.D., is challenging our understanding of genetic variation among human populations. In our latest blog post, she discusses her research on how the genetic composition of traits and diseases varies among populations, the value of statistical and computational work in human genetics, and what this all means for patient treatment.

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Genes