Dr. Eichler, a pioneer in the study of rapidly evolving portions of the genome, continues to study the organization, origin, and impact of recent segmental duplications within mammalian genomes. His selection brings the total number of HHMI investigators at the UW to 13, including Genome Sciences affiliated faculty members David Baker, Stan Fields, Phil Green, and Richard Palmiter.
The HHMI is the nation’s largest private source of support for biomedical research and science education, with an annual research budget of approximately $400 million. The institute periodically selects new members from among the nation’s top researchers in the ascending phase of their careers.
Well-known in the fields of population genetics and molecular evolution, Dr. Akey has research interests that include understanding how evolutionary forces shape patterns of genetic variation within and between species and how to use this information to address fundamental questions in biology and evolution. His lab currently pursues projects in human population genomics, the genetic architecture of complex and quantitative traits using yeast as a model system, and canine evolution.
A symposium to celebrate the career of Dr. Walton L. Fangman, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Genome Sciences, and his contributions to our understanding of DNA replication was held on September 3, 2004. Speakers and participants included past and present members of his laboratory.
Walt joined the Department of Genetics at the University of Washington in 1967. Originally interested in the initiation of DNA synthesis at the single origin of replication in prokaryotic chromosomes, Walt was quickly seduced by the small size of the budding yeast genome with its high density of replication origins. It is in this arena that Walt has spent most of his career, exploring the temporal program of chromosomal DNA replication and essentially creating the field along the way.
Besides serving as Chairman of the Department of Genetics (1985-1990), Walt has also served two stints as the Principal Investigator on the NIH Genetics Training Grant. Walt has been a Professor Emeritus at UW since 2000 and retired from active University life at the end of 2004.