Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

Where Science Meets Society

An interdisciplinary institute dedicated to transformative research and technology in life sciences using team-based strategies to tackle grand societal challenges.

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Engaging with the Public Through Science and Technology

By engaging with the public through programs and events, publications, and citizen science efforts, we ensure that our work continues to be relevant and impactful, a force for positive change in the wider world. Our creative outreach and education programs expose people to transformative research and how we can use genomics to help solve preeminent problems faced by local and global communities. More ...

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NEWS ARCHIVE // Illinois iGEM team takes on CABBI-funded synthetic biology project

Illinois researchers adapted CRISPR gene-editing technology to help a cell skip over mutated portions of genes. From left, professor Pablo Perez-Pinera, graduate student Alan Luu, professor Jun Song and graduate student Michael Gapinske.

New CRISPR technique skips over portions of genes that can cause disease

Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and leader of the IGB's Biosystems Design research theme, Huimin Zhao is also the leader of the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) Conversion Theme.

A unique combination of catalysts opens doors to making useful compounds

Al Roca and Alex Greenwood along with colleagues found that endogenous retroviruses in koalas are deactivated by ancient, unrelated retrovirus sequences left over in the koala's genetic code.

Ancient virus defends koalas against new viral attacks

Donor Spotlight: Sandra Perry Sigman

Sequenced fox genome hints at genetic basis of behavior

IGB RESOURCES // Take Action, Find Help, Download Docs

GET ACQUAINTED // Genomics For (TM), Art of Science, Genome Day, SING, MOOC, SciFlix, Pollen Power, IGB Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Art of Science

The IGB’s Art of Science program is a celebration of common ground between science and art. View our Art of Science Galleries here.

Fox Family Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate Program

Our certificate program designed to introduce IGB and science academics to fundamental business methodologies to become successful innovators and entrepreneurs.

Genome Day

Genome Day is an opportunity to educate the community about genomes, genes, DNA, and evolution, held each year at the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum in Champaign.

MOOC

Available via our partnership with Coursera, the IGB's Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life” is a beginner level course. Enroll now at www.coursera.org/learn/genomics-research.

"Genomics for" Professionals

Professionals from the fields of law, medicine, business and education attend specially tailored genomics education programs, such as our Genomics for Judges workshop.

GET INVOLVED // Learn about Genomics, Meet the Postdoc Association, Become a Fellow, Start a Theme, Join iGEM, Give to the IGB

Learn about Genomics

Try some of our most popular activities at home, view our range of video resources to introduce various genomics concepts, take part in our Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life," and find out when and where our community events will take place such as our popular Art of Science program or our annual Genome Day.

Postdoc Association

The IGB Postdoctoral Association provides professional guidance and social opportunities for post-doctoral scholars. We hold seminars to inform postdocs of the tools and services available at IGB, organize workshops and resources for career development, and host events to encourage social interaction and professional collaboration between members of the community. Every postdoctoral researcher at IGB is welcome to contribute their ideas and suggestions for events.

Become a Fellow

The IGB offers a number of fellowships: IGB Fellows typically spend two years, ideally in research which overlaps with two or more thematic areas. The Carl R. Woese Undergraduate Research Scholar Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to pursue research during the summer. And Carl R. Woese Postdoctoral Fellows are truly exceptional young scholars at the forefront of their field in evolution, emergence of life, quantitative biology, and genomics.

Start a Theme

The mission of the IGB is to advance life sciences research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and to stimulate bio-economic development in the State of Illinois. Its near-term strategic objective is to identify and promote the development of innovative research themes that will capitalize on recent advances in genome science and technology. New themes may be proposed at any time, by any member on campus, through the instructions provided in the IGB Theme Proposal Whitepaper.

Give to the IGB

Maintaining our commitment to excellence in life-sciences education and research isn't easy. Constant innovation means constant renovation of facilities and technologies. The state helps cover basic costs, but a large number of our research programs are supported solely through private funding. To stay on the cutting edge of science, the IGB needs your help.

IGB EVENTS // View all of the IGB's upcoming calendar activities.