Pui-Yan Kwok, MD, PhD

The overall goal of our research is to develop the tools for genetic analysis of whole genomes and to apply these tools to elucidate the genetic factors associated with common human traits. We are actively involved in three areas of research. First, we are developing efficient methods for single DNA molecule analysis with the goals of mapping whole genomes and determining the haplotypes of diploid individuals unambiguously. Second, we are applying state-of-the-art genetic tools to search for genetic factors associated with complex human traits. Third, we are studying genes involved in drug transport and metabolism in different ethnic populations to identify gene variants that affect drug response or lead to adverse reactions.

On-going collaborative projects include studies of genetic susceptibility to psoriasis, narcolepsy, systemic lupus erythematosus, hemorrhagic risk in brain arteriovenous malformations, and sudden cardiac arrest; identification of functional variants in genes that affect drug response; search for genetic determinants for longevity; prediction of kidney transplantation outcomes based on the genetic, proteomic, and expression patterns of the recipients and the grafts; and the elucidation of the structure-function relationship of collagen genes, especially in the context of osteogenesis imperfecta.