Dr. Veit Schubert is a Senior Scientist at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben, Germany, with continuous employment since March 2002. Holding the academic qualification PD Dr. habil., he operates as a research-focused academic within Germany's premier plant genomics institute. His research spans chromosome biology , centromere dynamics , holocentric systems , and duckweed genomics , utilizing advanced cytogenetic techniques to study chromosome segregation, heterochromatin organization, and meiotic mechanisms. Recent work reveals evolutionary transitions between mono- and holocentric chromosomes through satellite DNA analysis. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) shows dominant focus on centromere evolution (6 articles), duckweed genomics (5 articles), and meiotic mechanisms (4 articles), with methodologies emphasizing super-resolution microscopy, genome assembly, and epigenetic profiling. Scientific contributions include: Discovery of repeat-based holocentromeres in woodrush ( Luzula sylvatica ) Mechanistic insights into KNL2 regulation in centromere integrity Characterization of triploid hybridization in duckweed complexes Evolutionary models for holocentric chromosome emergence Dr. Schubert maintains active international collaborations across Europe and North America, with frequent co-authorships indicating strong grant support. His work bridges fundamental chromosome biology with practical applications in plant genome evolution and stability.
Dr. Ulrich Broeckel is a Professor and Chief of the Division of Genomic Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He serves as Research Unit Leader for Genetics and Genomics at the Children's Research Institute and maintains membership in three major research centers: the Cancer Center, the Cardiovascular Research Center, and the Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine. His extensive academic contributions span multiple disciplines within genomic medicine. Dr. Broeckel's research focuses on cardiovascular genomics, pharmacogenetics, and structural variant analysis. His work encompasses genome-wide association studies of cardiovascular traits, genetic factors in drug response, and the development of genomic reference materials. He investigates how genetic variation influences blood pressure regulation, coagulation factors, and drug-induced cardiotoxicity, with recent work utilizing hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for personalized medicine applications. His methodological expertise includes whole genome sequencing, GWAS, exome analysis, DNA copy number variation analysis, and high-throughput nucleotide sequencing. Analysis of Dr. Broeckel's recent publications (2023-2024) reveals three major thematic areas: 1) Development of pharmacogenomic reference materials (DPYD, CYP2D6, CYP3A4/5), 2) Cardiovascular genomics including polygenic risk scores for blood pressure response, and 3) Application of hiPSC-derived models for studying drug responses. His work consistently emphasizes practical applications of genomic discoveries with strong representation in high-impact collaborative studies through the TOPMed Consortium. Dr. Broeckel's research has significant translational impact, particularly in pharmacogenomics where his work directly informs clinical testing guidelines. His development of reference materials for genetic testing has practical applications in clinical laboratories. The work on polygenic risk scores for blood pressure response and cardiotoxicity prediction has direct implications for personalized medicine approaches in cardiology and oncology. Dr. Broeckel is deeply embedded in major national collaborative research networks, particularly the NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Consortium. He has contributed to numerous multi-institutional projects including the GeT-RM Collaborative Project focused on pharmacogenetic reference materials. His authorship on papers with dozens of co-authors across multiple institutions demonstrates extensive national and international collaboration in large-scale genomic studies.
Michael M. Ittmann, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor and William D. Tigertt Chair in Pathology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also serves as Co-Leader of the Cancer Biology Program and Director of the Human Tissue Acquisition & Pathology Shared Resource at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research program focuses on molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer development and progression. Dr. Ittmann's research interests center on molecular genetics of prostate cancer , particularly investigating fibroblast growth factor signaling pathways, DNA methylation changes in prostate cancer, and racial disparities between African American and Caucasian prostate cancer patients. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding the role of FGFR signaling in prostate cancer progression and metastasis, as well as the biological significance of the TMPRSS2/ERG gene fusion. Dr. Ittmann's laboratory maintains active research funding from multiple sources including the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Program and the Department of Veterans Affairs, with current projects focusing on enhancing radiation therapy outcomes, tumor microenvironment biomarkers in African American prostate cancer, and novel oncogenic pathways specific to African American prostate cancer. His leadership roles include serving as Co-Leader of the Cancer Biology Program at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Director of the Human Tissue Acquisition & Pathology Shared Resource, which provides critical infrastructure for prostate cancer research at Baylor College of Medicine.
Jean Bousquet is a distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Forestry and Geomatics at Université Laval, where he serves as a Regular Member of the Centre d'études de la forêt (CEF). He held the prestigious Canada Research Chair in Forest Genomics (Tier 1) from 2001 to 2022, making him one of the first to receive a third term renewal for this senior-level chair. As a founding member of the Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes (IBIS) and academic director of the FastTRAC team funded by Genome Canada and Genome Quebec, Professor Bousquet has established himself as a leader in forest genomics research. Professor Bousquet completed his academic training with a B.Sc. in Forest Engineering from Université Laval in 1984, followed by studies in forest genetics at Université Laval and the Petawawa National Forestry Institute (1984-1986). He earned his Ph.D. in Forest Genetics from Université Laval and the University of Alberta (1986-1989), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular phylogeny of trees at Oregon State University (1989-1990). His research focuses on forest genomics and population genetics of conifers, with particular expertise in phylogeography of conifer genomes, development of genomic resources, and predictive genomics for tree breeding. Professor Bousquet's work has significantly advanced our understanding of genetic diversity and adaptation in forest trees, particularly in spruce species. His recent publications demonstrate continued leadership in analyzing drought responses, genomic selection methods, and comparative genomics across conifer species, with a strong emphasis on climate change adaptation. Professor Bousquet's research has important implications for climate change adaptation in forests, as his team develops methods to accelerate the development of tree varieties that are more productive and resilient to abiotic and biotic stresses. This work is becoming increasingly critical as climate change poses new challenges to forest ecosystems. Prix Grand Diplômé de l'Université Laval et médaille Gloire de l'Escolle (2014) Prix Acfas – Michel-Jurdant 2013 (Sciences de l'environnement) FastTRAC team received Impact pour l'excellence en science award from Natural Resources Canada (2020) FastTRAC team received Mérite pour l'excellence en science award from Natural Resources Canada (2019) As an advisor, Professor Bousquet has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students throughout his career, including current students Édouard Reed-Métayer (Ph.D.) and Juliette Bourgeois and Vincent Quevillon (M.Sc.). His research is primarily supported by NSERC, Genome Canada, Genome Quebec, Natural Resources Canada, MRIF, and FRQ-NT, reflecting the significance and impact of his work in the field of forest genomics. Professor Bousquet leads research within the Canada Research Chair framework and collaborates extensively with the FastTRAC and Spruce-Up projects, which focus on developing genomic tools for forest tree improvement. His laboratory is part of a larger network of researchers working on conifer genomics, with particular emphasis on applying genomic selection techniques to accelerate breeding programs for climate-resilient tree varieties.
Andrew J Sharp is a Professor in the Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He serves as Co-Director of the Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomic Sciences and directs two graduate courses: BSR2400 Translational Genomics and BSR4401 Genetics and Genomics Journal Club. Professor Sharp leads the Sharp lab, an integrated research environment combining experimental and bioinformatic approaches to study the human genome and disease through a 'reverse genetics' strategy. His research focuses on structural variation, epigenetics (particularly DNA methylation), gene expression, and tandem repeat DNA, with applications to understanding mental retardation syndromes, autism, schizophrenia, diabetes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and neural tube defects. His research has led to significant discoveries, including identifying genetic syndromes accounting for approximately 2% of mental retardation cases worldwide and discovering the most common genetic risk factor for epilepsy. His work has been published in top journals including Nature Genetics and The New England Journal of Medicine . Professor Sharp's publication record shows a strong focus on genomic technologies and their application to human disease, with recent work emphasizing tandem repeat variation, phenome-wide association studies, and epigenetic mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders. His notable awards include: 2009 Young Investigator Award for Outstanding Science from the European Society of Human Genetics 2006 Trainee Award (postdoctoral) from the American Society of Human Genetics 2002 Trainee Award (predoctoral) from the American Society of Human Genetics Professor Sharp welcomes students interested in human genetics and genomics research, offering a diverse environment for gaining exposure to innovative research areas. His lab provides opportunities for both experimental and computational research in human genome studies, with a focus on translating genomic discoveries into understanding human disease mechanisms.
Professor Deborah Tweddle is a faculty member at Newcastle University specializing in pediatric oncology, with a primary focus on neuroblastoma and related childhood cancers. Her research spans cancer genetics, clinical pharmacology in neonates and infants, and the application of advanced genomic technologies to improve diagnosis and treatment. Her research interests center on the genetic underpinnings of neuroblastoma (particularly ALK aberrations), tumor evolution, and evidence-based dosing guidelines for chemotherapy in infants. She employs techniques such as optical genome mapping, cell-free DNA analysis, and serial tumor sequencing to investigate tumor heterogeneity and identify therapeutic targets, with emphasis on translating genomic findings into clinical applications. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on neuroblastoma through large collaborative studies including the UK Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (UK CCLG) and European Neuroblastoma Study Group (SIOPEN). Her work bridges laboratory research and clinical trials, addressing critical gaps in pediatric pharmacology, tumor genomics, and risk-stratified treatment approaches. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Professor Tweddle leads major research consortia including UK CCLG and SIOPEN trials, indicating significant grant funding and leadership in multinational studies. While specific grant details are absent, her role in nationwide clinical trials (e.g., BEACON-Neuroblastoma) demonstrates substantial research infrastructure. No student mentoring information appears in the current publication records. She collaborates extensively across UK and European institutions, frequently co-authoring with Newcastle colleagues like Professor Gareth Veal (clinical pharmacology) and Dr. Shelby Barnett, reflecting a team-based approach to advancing neuroblastoma therapeutics through integrated laboratory-clinical frameworks.
Daphne Selvaggia Cabianca is a Group Leader at the Cabianca Lab , affiliated with Helmholtz Munich under the Functional Epigenetics (IFE) group . Her research focuses on understanding how environmental inputs modulate chromatin state, spatial organization, and function using the model organism C. elegans . Research Interests Epigenetic responses to environmental stress Chromatin 3D organization and gene regulation Nutrient and temperature effects on chromatin Stress memory mechanisms Key Techniques CRISPR-Cas9 genetic editing ChIP, DamID, ATACseq RNAseq and organismal stress assays Her work explores the interplay between environmental stimuli and chromatin dynamics across life stages, from development to aging. This research has implications for diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer with strong environmental links. Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding fasting-induced chromatin reorganization, ferroptosis suppression in neuronal development, and environmental stress memory mechanisms. Collaborative lab members include doctoral researchers and postdocs working on various aspects of chromatin biology and C. elegans genetics. Lab Members Iratxe Estivariz (Postdoc) Fernanda Pabst (Doctoral Researcher) Carole Zaratiegui (Doctoral Researcher) Yuri D'Alessio (Doctoral Researcher) Lorenz Pudelko (Doctoral Researcher)
Hakan GÜRKAN is a Professor at Trakya University's Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Genetics. His academic journey includes a Bachelor's degree (1998), Master's (2006), Ph.D. (2011), and post-doctoral studies (2012). He attained the rank of Associate Professor in 2015 and Professor in 2021, both at Trakya University. His research focuses on medical genetics , with emphasis on molecular diagnostics, genetic disorders (e.g., autism, thyroid cancer, cardiomyopathies), and genomic variations. He employs advanced techniques like next-generation sequencing and array CGH to investigate phenotype-genotype relationships in rare diseases. GÜRKAN's publications (2022–2024) reveal a strong focus on neurodevelopmental disorders, oncogenetics, and prenatal diagnostics. His work frequently addresses Turkish population-specific genetic variants and their clinical implications. Awards & Honors: Analysis of THRΒ Gene (2017) BRAFV600E mutation in thyroid cancer (2016) Factor X deficiency genetics (2016) Thrombophilia/recurrent miscarriage panels (2016) HLA-B polymorphism (2015) Toll-like receptor polymorphisms in atopic dermatitis (2015) He leads TÜBİTAK-funded projects (e.g., genetic screening in autism, Lynch syndrome) and serves on ethics committees. As an editorial board member for Balkan Medical Journal , he reviews genetics research. He also supervised a Master's thesis on MTHFR gene methylation in male infertility (2016).
Sinem YALÇINTEPE is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, where she has been working since 2022. She earned her medical degree from Ege University School of Medicine in 2009 and has established herself as a prominent researcher in medical genetics with a focus on neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy genetics, and chromosomal abnormalities. Her research interests span multiple areas of medical genetics, with particular emphasis on neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy genetics, chromosomal abnormalities, thrombophilia and pregnancy loss, and next-generation sequencing applications. She has made significant contributions to understanding the genetic basis of various conditions including Desanto-Shinawi Syndrome, Jacobsen Syndrome, and various neurodevelopmental disorders. Her work frequently involves applying advanced genomic techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy and understand genotype-phenotype correlations. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward applying next-generation sequencing technologies to diagnose and understand complex genetic disorders. Her research spans from fundamental genetic mechanisms to clinical applications, with particular focus on neurodevelopmental conditions, epilepsy syndromes, and chromosomal disorders. She has made notable contributions to understanding rare genetic syndromes in the Turkish population and has published extensively on the application of genomic technologies in clinical diagnostics. Dr. YALÇINTEPE actively collaborates with national and international researchers through consortia such as the National Genetics Consortium. Her work demonstrates strong integration between basic research and clinical applications, with numerous publications focusing on translating genetic findings into improved diagnostic approaches and potential therapeutic strategies.
George J. Feldman, PhD, DMD, is a Research Assistant Professor at the College of Life Sciences, based at 1015 Walnut Street, Curtis Building, Room 501, Philadelphia, PA 19107. He can be contacted via phone at 215-955-5480. His research focuses on identifying genetic causes of inherited orthopaedic disorders, with particular emphasis on Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). His lab investigates how incomplete hip socket formation leads to dislocation and osteoarthritis, utilizing two primary approaches: Traditional linkage analysis of affected families using Affymetrix SNP platforms Examination of copy number variations in severely affected individuals with bilateral DDH The goal is to develop genetic tests enabling early intervention (e.g., Pavlik harness) to prevent osteoarthritis progression. His publications center on genetic mechanisms underlying orthopaedic conditions including fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), BMP pathway mutations, and skeletal malformation syndromes. Research demonstrates consistent focus on mutation discovery in bone-forming pathways.
Henrik Berg Rasmussen is a Lecturer at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, specializing in Nutritional Immunology. His research spans pharmacology, genetics, and immunology with a particular focus on drug development for viral infections and genetic factors in mental disorders. His research interests primarily center around Nutritional Immunology , Pharmacology of antiviral agents , and Genetic factors in schizophrenia and mental disorders . Dr. Rasmussen has made significant contributions to understanding the pharmacokinetics of nucleoside analogs like GS-441524 and Molnupiravir for COVID-19 treatment, as well as investigating genetic variants related to carboxylesterase 1 and their implications for drug metabolism. His publication trends show a strong focus on interdisciplinary research connecting pharmacology with genetics, particularly in the areas of antiviral therapeutics and psychiatric genetics. Recent work has centered on critical assessment of COVID-19 treatments, while earlier work focused on schizophrenia genetics and enzyme function. Dr. Rasmussen collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions, as evidenced by his co-authorship on large consortium papers including the Schizophrenia Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium 2. His laboratory work appears to focus on the intersection of nutritional science and immunology, with particular attention to how genetic variations affect drug metabolism and response, though specific lab details aren't provided in the available information.
Niels Tommerup is a Professor of Medical Genetics at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, where he has served since 1996. He previously directed the Wilhelm Johannsen Centre for Functional Genome Research (2001-2013) and was Deputy Head of Department (2007-2019). His research group focuses on mapping balanced chromosomal rearrangements (BCR) to identify disease genes, regulatory domains (Topological Associating Domains), and novel genetic mechanisms, as well as characterizing germline chromothripsis and functional studies of non-coding RNA genes. Tommerup earned his DMSc. in genetics (1994) and medical degree (Cand.med., 1978) from the University of Copenhagen. His early career included positions as a junior doctor, research assistant, and senior doctor at the J.F. Kennedy Institute in Denmark (1978-89), and as a Consultant at the Department of Medical Genetics, Ullevål University Hospital in Oslo, Norway (1989-91). He has held visiting scientist positions at institutions in London, Australia, and Norway. His research spans multiple areas including cytogenetics, translocations and inversions, next generation sequencing, Topological Associating Domains, Long Range Position Effects, 3D-genome organization, and long noncoding RNAs. Tommerup coordinates the International Breakpoint Mapping Consortium (2014-present), involving over 100 diagnostic cytogenetic laboratories from more than 50 countries across six continents. His work has established that direct gene truncation may explain approximately 18% of BCR-associated developmental disorders, and that long-range position effects may be at least as frequent a cause as gene truncation. His recent publications reveal trends in understanding sex differential responses to viral infections (particularly focusing on the X-chromosome), linking anatomical variation to genetic variation, and developing methods for visualization of nuclear genome organization. His work bridges basic genomic research with clinical applications in developmental disorders, intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy, and other conditions. Det Classenske Fideicommis Boglegat (1987) Iris Preuss's Mindelegat (1994) First Harold Klinger Memmorial Award Lecture, Atlanta, USA (2006) Tommerup has supervised 27 PhD students and 10 postdocs. His editorial roles include service on the boards of Briefings in Functional Genomics, Clinical Genetics, Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, PeerJ, and Australasian Med J. He has organized numerous academic events including the International Summer School in Functional Genomics and the Wilhelm Johannsen Symposium. His international collaborations include the EU-concerted action Mendelian Cytogenetics Network and the International Breakpoint Mapping Consortium. Tommerup leads the Tommerup Group which coordinates the International Breakpoint Mapping Consortium and collaborates with Michael Talkowski's group at Harvard to accumulate the largest collection of sequence-resolved germline balanced chromosomal rearrangements. His laboratory combines DNA-DNA-interaction (Hi-C) studies with short and long read sequencing to improve the dissection of complex chromosomal rearrangements. The group has initiated systematic X-inactivation studies of sequence-resolved X;autosomal translocations and X-inversions, and conducts research on germline chromothripsis and host genetic factors underlying sex differential responses to viral infections.
Dr. Peining Li is a Professor of Genetics at Yale School of Medicine, where she serves as Director of the Cytogenetics Laboratory and Co-Director of the Fellowship in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics. Her primary affiliations include the Department of Genetics, Yale Center for Genomic Health, and Yale Ventures. She leads a research program focused on structural and functional characterization of human chromosome abnormalities using advanced molecular techniques. Her research interests span: Cytogenetics and chromosome aberration analysis Genomic diagnostics using microarray and sequencing technologies Cancer genomics with focus on hepatocellular carcinoma Reproductive genetics including pregnancy loss mechanisms Recent publications demonstrate her work in pediatric genetic diagnostics, NGS concordance studies, stem cell applications, and ring chromosome characterization. Her lab provides clinical services for diverse specimen types including blood, amniotic fluid, and tumor samples.
Dr. Don X. Nguyen is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Medical Oncology at Yale School of Medicine, where he joined the faculty in 2010 and was granted tenure. He holds a primary appointment in the Department of Pathology and Medical Oncology and serves as Co-Leader of the Cancer Signaling Networks program at Yale Cancer Center. Dr. Nguyen maintains multiple institutional affiliations including the Yale Stem Cell Center, Pathology Research Program in Translational Biomedicine (PTB), SPORE in Lung Cancer initiative, and the Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS). Dr. Nguyen earned his B.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University in 1998, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 2004, and completed post-doctoral training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Institute in 2009. His research focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of cancer metastasis, with particular expertise in brain metastasis from lung cancer. The Nguyen Lab investigates how cell lineage control influences tumor progression, how epigenetic regulation affects cell-cell communication in disseminating tumor cells, and the mechanistic links between drug resistance and brain metastasis. Recent work has revealed important insights into how cancer cells co-opt the brain microenvironment and develop resistance to targeted therapies like osimertinib. Dr. Nguyen's laboratory maintains an active publication record with significant contributions published in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Cell Reports, Science Advances, and Cancer Cell. His research spans molecular biology, epigenetics, and translational research with a strong focus on developing novel models to study metastatic progression and therapeutic resistance. Class of 1961 Cancer Research Award (2021) Yale Cancer Center Basic Research Prize (2013) Stewart Trust Scholar (2013) IASLC Young Investigator Award (2012) Yale Center for Clinical Investigation Scholar (2011) Dr. Nguyen serves as Principal Investigator on the study 'Determining Mechanisms of Sensitivity and Resistance to Anti-Cancer Therapy for Advanced Lung Cancer' (HIC ID 1603017333), which is recruiting participants until June 2026. The Nguyen Lab, located at the Brady Memorial Laboratory, maintains active collaborations with researchers across Yale including Dr. Veronica Chiang, Dr. Katerina Politi, and Dr. Anna Arnal-Estapé, with whom he has published numerous high-impact papers on cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance.
Joseph Schlessinger is the William H. Prusoff Professor of Pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine and Co-Director of the Cancer Biology Institute. He has been a faculty member at Yale since 2001 and maintains an active research program focused on receptor tyrosine kinases and cellular signaling mechanisms. His educational background includes a B.S. and M.S. from Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1968, 1969) and a Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science (1974). Professor Schlessinger is affiliated with multiple Yale research entities including the Cancer Signaling Networks Program, Diabetes Research Center, Structural Biology Program, Yale Cancer Biology Institute, and the Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Professor Schlessinger's research centers on tyrosine phosphorylation mechanisms in cellular processes. His lab has made seminal contributions by determining crystal structures of growth factor ligands (SCF and FGF), receptor-ligand complexes, and protein tyrosine kinase domains. This structural work has enabled the development of specific kinase inhibitors now in clinical trials. His research spans structural biology, pharmacology, cancer signaling, and drug discovery with significant translational impact. Analysis of his recent publications shows continued high productivity with work spanning cancer biology (particularly colorectal and cervical cancers), receptor tyrosine kinase signaling mechanisms, structural biology of growth factor receptors, and therapeutic development. His research maintains strong connections between basic structural insights and clinical applications. Clifford Prize for Cancer Research (2017) BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award (2014) AACR International Award for Cancer (2010) Medal of Danica Hrvatska Order, Republic of Croatia (2009) Elected as a foreign member of the Croatian Academy of Science (2008) Professor Schlessinger maintains active research funding including recent $10.5 million and $12 million NIH grants. His lab collaborates extensively across Yale and with international partners. He has mentored numerous students and postdocs, with Francisco Tome, Yoshihisa Suzuki, and Sangwon Lee appearing frequently as co-authors on his publications. The Schlessinger Lab continues to be a major center for structural and mechanistic studies of receptor tyrosine kinases with implications for cancer and other diseases.
