| Home > Departments > Center for Obstetrics and Paediatrics > Department of Human Genetics
| Department Chair: | Prof. Andreas Gal |
| Department Vice Chair: | Prof. Kerstin Kutsche |
| Managing Director: | Christiane Dienhold |
Our department is involved in all of the three main activities of the University Medical Center Eppendorf - patient care, research and teaching. Patient care includes genetic counseling and expert opinions, cytogenetic diagnostics as well as molecular genetic (DNA) diagnostics. Cooperation with the departments of the Center for Obstetrics, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine is especially close.
Several groups in the Department of Human Genetics work on a broad range of research topics. In addition to work in the traditional fields of interest like the identification of disease genes using a variety of genetic approaches, many functional analyses are performed. They provide insights into the molecular pathogenesis of specific human hereditary diseases and fundamental findings on the function of the proteins studied. Research in the department is supported not only by individual grants from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and other institutions but also by research networks like research groups, graduate students and EU funding.
Twelve doctoral students in the natural sciences and medicine are involved in the various research projects.
The staff of the Department of Human Genetics is involved in teaching the courses Biology for Medical Students and Biochemistry in the preclinical medical school curriculum (level 1) as well as courses in Block 1 (Reproduction and Pregnancy, Childhood and Adolescence) in Level 2. In addition, Human Genetics is offered as an elective course. Finally, it is possible for physicians to do a residency in human genetics in the department and for natural scientists to obtain a graduate degree in human genetics.
Identification of a pathogenic genetic modification is important not only for confirmation of the clinical diagnosis but also for human genetic counseling. In our department, 31 different hereditary diseases including several metabolic disorders are currently diagnosed by molecular genetic testing.
Numerous publications in renowned international journals as well as many Master's, doctoral and postdoctoral theses prepared in the Department of Human Genetics document the scientific achievements of the department.
Six physicians, seven scientists and 15 non-scientists as well as twelve doctoral students in natural science or medicine and six students doing internships currently work in the Department of Human Genetics.
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