Precision medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person. The approach will allow doctors and researchers to predict more accurately which treatment and prevention strategies for a particular disease will work in which groups of people. It is in contrast to a “one-size-fits-all” approach, in which disease treatment and prevention strategies are developed for the average person, with less consideration of the differences between individuals.
Researchers at WID with expertise in complex biological systems, epigenetics, microbiomes, data science, gene editing, and tissue engineering will contribute to “healthy people” initiatives through precision medicine.
Multi-Omics
We are working to manage and utilize massive biological data sets to understand gene regulation, cellular reprogramming, precision medicine, and more.
Tissue Engineering
We are laying the research foundation for transformative scaffolding technologies and generating human tissues for regenerative medicine.
Gene Editing
We are using and improving the CRISPR-Cas9 system to make precise changes to DNA and developing treatments for myriad diseases and conditions.
Nanomedicine
We are creating and deploying novel nanomaterials for delivery of drugs, gene editing tools, and other technologies in medical contexts.
Epigenetics
We examine how the epigenome switches genes ‘on’ or ‘off’ and is controlled by outside factors such as lifestyle and diet.
Microbiome
We study the communities of microorganisms that live on or in people, plants, soil, oceans, and the atmosphere and which influence human health and ecosystems.
Precision Medicine Faculty
See all WID Faculty
WID is uniquely positioned to make big gains in the fundamental research supporting precision medicine initiatives. Our researchers' expertise ranges from data science and -omics to tissue engineering and gene editing.
Randolph Ashton
Biomedical Engineering
John Denu
Biomolecular Chemistry
Shaoqin (Sarah) Gong
Biomedical Engineering
Jo Handelsman
Plant Pathology
Daniel Pimentel-Alarcon
Biostatistics & Medical Informatics
Sushmita Roy
Biostatistics & Medical Informatics
Krishanu Saha
Biomedical Engineering
Claudia Solís-Lemus
Plant Pathology
Rupa Sridharan
Cell & Regenerative Biology
Lih-Sheng (Tom) Turng
Mechanical Engineering
John Yin
Chemical & Biological Engineering
Xuehua Zhong
Laboratory of Genetics
WID alumnus awarded first AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship in the U.S. Department of the Treasury
WID News
WID and Saha Lab alumnus, and current postdoc at the Morgridge Institute for Research, Amritava Das anticipates that he will put his engineering and bioscience training to use exploring the sometimes knotty connections between science, national security, and finance.
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Molecular Puzzles in 3D: Understanding a Mechanism for Methylation
Featured Science
A new publication from the Xuehua Zhong’s group at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery and the genetics department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison clarifies an important epigenetic mechanism in plants that will help researchers better understand the epigenomes of both plants and animals.
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Micro-Molded ‘Ice Cube Tray’ Scaffold is Next Step in Returning Sight to Injured Retinas
Featured Science
WID's Sarah Gong is part of a team that developed a micro-molded scaffolding photoreceptor "patch" to be implanted under damaged or diseased retinas, the next step in restoring sight.
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Fixing Genetic Mistakes to Restore Vision
Featured Science
Shaoqin "Sarah" Gong collaborates on a new approach to target genetic mutations and develop a new therapy for restoring vision in children and adults.
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UW Engineers and Vision Researchers Develop Stem-cell Therapy for Combat-related Eye Injuries
Featured Science
Using a microscopic retinal patch, researchers at the University of Wisconsin‒Madison will develop and test a new way to treat United States military personnel blinded in combat with help from engineers including WID's Sarah Gong.
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UW Researchers Partner with US Department of Defense to Develop Stem Cell Therapy for Combat-Related Eye Injuries
WID News
Using an ingenious microscopic retinal patch, eye researchers at UW‒Madison will develop and test a new way to treat United States military personnel blinded in combat. WID's Sarah Gong is a collaborator on the project.
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