Joel S. Bader, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, is a leading innovator in genomics and biotechnology. His research explores the connection between genotype and phenotype, relating an organism’s genetic material to its observable characteristics.

Bader develops new computational methods to define how inborn genetic variants and acquired mutations lead to disease, primarily complex genetic disorders and cancer, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets. He also leads synthetic biology projects that design and build entire chromosomes and genomes to create new forms of life. He also leads an effort to create cells that rely on RNA (ribonucleic acid) rather than DNA for their genetic information. In related efforts, Bader’s lab develops technologies for biosafety and biosecurity, preventing escape of engineered life and identifying evidence of genetic engineering in DNA samples.