UConn Health

March 17, 2016 | Peter Morenus - UConn Communications

UConn/JAX Forum Emphasizes Teamwork

Teams of UConn and Jackson Laboratory researchers discussed the synergies between the two institutions during a recent day on the Farmington campus.

Reinhard Laubenbacher, professor of cell biology, speaks with journalists at the Cell and Genome Sciences Building in Farmington on March 15, 2016. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Teams of UConn and Jackson Laboratory researchers discussed the synergies between the two institutions during a recent day on the Farmington campus. Reinhard Laubenbacher was one of the researchers who guided journalists on a tour of the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine. Laubenbacher holds a joint appointment as director of the Center for Quantitative Medicine at UConn Health and professor of computational biology at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Teams of UConn and Jackson Laboratory researchers emphasized the immunology-genomics synergies between the institutions during a recent day on the Farmington campus dedicated to raising awareness about joint endeavors. The collaboration between UConn and JAX combines the resources of a public research university with an independent nonprofit biomedical research institution to advance precision medicine for a healthier future.

“Real impactful science now is teamwork,” Charles Lee, JAX scientific director, told reporters at the start of a day spent in discussion with research teams learning about ongoing investigations.

After the researchers gave their formal presentations, they conducted a guided tour of the Cell and Genome Sciences Center for journalists attending the event.

Among the researchers conducting the tour of their facility were: (top row, from left) Reinhard Laubenbacher, director of the Center for Quantitative Medicine at UConn Health and professor of computational biology at JAX Genomic Medicine (a joint appointment); Paul Robson, director of single cell genomics at JAX Genomic Medicine; Blanka Rogina associate professor of genetics and developmental biology at UConn Health; (bottom row, from left) George Weinstock director of microbial genetics at JAX Genomic Medicine, show with Julia Oh, assistant professor at JAX Genomic Medicine; Dr. Karolina Palucka, professor of immunology at JAX Genomic Medicine.

“No one can solve a big problem as an individual. That’s why we are working together.” – Professor Yijun Ruan, director of genome sciences at JAX Genomic Medicine, on his UConn-JAX research collaboration with Stormy Chamberlain, assistant professor of genetics and genome sciences at UConn Health. Ruan also holds the Florine Deschenes Roux Chair. Ruan (top row) and Chamberlain (bottom row) are shown above, explaining their research to journalists during the tour of the Cell and Genome Sciences Center.

“As a physician-scientist I am bringing questions from patients back to the lab.” – Dr. J. Travis Hinson, assistant professor of cardiology and genetics, with a joint appointment at UConn Health and JAX Genomic Medicine.

“With all chronic diseases, the single major risk factor is advanced age.” – Dr. George Kuchel, director of the UConn Center on Aging. Kuchel is shown above, with research colleague Jacques Banchereau (first photo, on the left), professor and director of immunology at JAX Genomic Medicine.

“Our microbiomes are dynamic, but they are also communicative of the places we’ve been and interactions we’ve had over time.” – Julia Oh, assistant professor, JAX Genomic Medicine, focusing on the microbiome.