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Chindo Hicks, PhD
Assistant Professor
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Dr. Hicks’ research program centers on bioinformatics and genomics of complex human diseases. His current projects include the following:
- Genomic mapping of genes associated with complex diseases: Dr. Hicks’s research on this project focuses on genomic and comparative mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) associated with human diseases, using genotype markers and gene expression data generated from human populations and model animals. The goals of this research project are: (1) to map and identify genes associated with hypertension, obesity, and other complex diseases, (2) to model genetic and regulatory variation, and (3) to understand the impact of genotype by environmental interactions on mapping and identifying genes associated with complex human diseases.
- Functional and comparative genomics of complex diseases: Dr. Hicks’ research on this project focuses on: (1) development and application of bioinformatics tools to genomic and protein sequence, gene expression, SNP and other high throughput genomic data to functionally characterize genes and proteins associated with hypertension, obesity and other complex diseases, (2) application of computational systems biology to model the genetic mechanisms underlying gene expression and regulation, specifically alternative splicing and the genetic mechanisms underlying its regulation. (3) comparative genomic analysis to gain a better understanding of how genes associated with complex diseases have evolved and transferred, by zeroing in on the genomic and proteomic features that are conserved between species. In addition, he is using sequence and gene expression data along with phylogenetic analysis to understand the relationship between genetic linkage and co-expression of genes associated with complex diseases.
- Natural selection on protein-coding genes associated with complex diseases: The extent to which weak negative and positive selection have shaped the human genome and how these forces lead to varying disease susceptibility in human populations are of considerable biomedical interest. Dr. Hicks’ research on this project focuses on use of genomic and protein sequence, SNPs and gene expression data to identify selection signals in genes associated with human diseases, and to understand the role of selective forces on genetic variation, adaptation, and susceptibility to complex diseases in human populations. He is particularly interested in understanding the functional effects of selection on protein-coding genes and their protein products.
- Cancer bioinformatics: Dr. Hicks is developing and applying bioinformatics tools to identify cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets from gene expression data. The goal of this research project is to translate genome-wide expression and other “omics” data into clinically and pharmacogenomically useful information to accelerate clinical application and drug development.
- Teaching and services: Apart from his research activities, Dr. Hicks’ teaches genomics and biomedical informatics to medical professionals and students. In addition, he provides biostatistical consulting and support to the research community.
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