Main Body
Science Overview
Science in the pursuit of health assumes many forms at Wadsworth Center, grant-supported research, outbreak investigations, and development of novel methods among them. As science evolves and technology advances, focal points will shift. Currently, four themes dominate:
- Genes and Genomes
The availability of the human genome sequence is the driving force of 21st century genetic research and molecular medicine. More...
- Molecular & Cellular Basis of Disease
Genes contained in the cell's DNA code for large molecules -- proteins and RNAs -- that do everything from regulating cell growth and division to maintaining cellular energy. More...
- Environmental Health Science
Scientific and technological advances of the last century allowed for the detection of minute quantities of contaminants in complex environmental samples, such as soil, water and air. More...
- Infectious Disease & Host Defense
Public health and basic research programs converge on infectious agents, with Wadsworth scientists seeking to improve detection of disease-causing organisms and understand their fundamental properties. More...
- Molecular & Cellular Basis of Disease
- Genes contained in the cell's DNA code for large molecules -- proteins and RNAs -- that do everything from regulating cell growth and division to maintaining cellular energy. Most of these macromolecules only function as part of larger and more complicated structures, such as membranes, filaments and molecular machines like the ribosome, the factory that fabricates proteins. Advances in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer and autoimmunity rely heavily on technology. For example, it is now possible to image cells in three-dimensions at the highest resolution, and to determine the intricate details of the cell's molecular machines and how genetic changes lead to dysfunction and disease.